After observing the ugly consequences that have confronted our clients who fled domestic abuse, Divorce & Mediation Law Firm | Cabanas Law Firm encourages victims to seek help as soon as possible. What are the effects of domestic violence that our clients and their families have faced? Physical injury, psychological harm, and economic loss. As our clients have shared their painful stories with us, we, in turn, have demanded justice for them in court.
Special note: If you are being abused and are in immediate danger, call 911 or call Florida’s Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 500-1119 (trilingual: English, Spanish, and Creole).
How Common Is Domestic Abuse?
If you are conducting an online search for a “Domestic Violence Lawyer Near Me,” know that you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 41% of women and 26% of men in the United States have experienced domestic violence in a romantic relationship.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, religion, economic background, or education level. The U.S. Department of Justice defines domestic violence as “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship.”
Florida law has a similar definition for domestic violence. In Florida, domestic violence “means any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, kidnapping, false imprisonment, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another family or household member.”
The law applies to spouses, ex-spouses, non-married couples, and couples who once lived together, along with their children and extended family residing in the same household. Unlike the federal definition, Florida law goes beyond romantic relationships to also cover relationships between other family members, such as grandparents or siblings, who live in the same home as the abuser.
Domestic Violence Harms Both Individuals And Society
Domestic violence not only hurts victims. It also negatively impacts their families and their communities.
Physical: The physical effects of domestic violence are self-explanatory: injuries that eventually heal, injuries that cause lasting damage, and injuries that lead to death. No one wants to be hurt, yet in an abusive relationship, victims sometimes feel they deserve to be physically punished.
At Cabanas Law Firm, we are not therapists – we are Domestic Abuse Attorneys– but we can say unequivocally you do not deserve to be physically attacked. Your children do not deserve to be harmed, or see you harmed, either. All 50 states have laws against domestic violence because it is a crime.
Psychological: The psychological effects of domestic abuse can manifest in various ways, including insomnia, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug or alcohol abuse, and suicidal thoughts. Unfortunately, even if the victim leaves the abuser, these problems can linger into the future if the victim does not seek professional counseling. Worse, children in violent homes also suffer psychological damage and may be prone to have their own abusive relationships as adults, thus perpetuating this behavior to the next generation.
Economical: An abuse victim is likely to miss work due to injuries and/or be less productive at work because of an inability to concentrate. Abusers often try to limit their victims’ financial security by preventing them from taking a job or seeking educational opportunities that would lead to higher-paying occupations.
Societal: Homelessness is a common outcome for families with children fleeing domestic violence. The CDC says domestic violence extracts a high financial toll on society: between emergency room bills, funding for police and courts and social services, and loss in workplace productivity, the lifetime economic cost is $3.6 trillion.
Is It Time To Make A Change In Your Toxic Environment?
Only you know your situation and whether now is the right moment to stand up for yourself and escape your abuser. However, if you are reluctant to go home or become frightened when you hear the abuser open the front door, it may be time for you to speak with a domestic abuse lawyer.
Looking for “Domestic Violence Attorneys Near Me” has brought you to this article and Divorce & Mediation Law Firm | Cabanas Law Firm. Since 2006, we have been assisting clients just like you. We are passionate about helping people protect themselves and their children.
Our staff is bilingual in English and Spanish, and we are ready to come alongside you as you take the next steps toward a better life. In addition to providing legal advice, we can refer you to our trusted network of therapists and other professionals who can help you begin to heal.
For a confidential consultation, contact us today at (954) 447-2580 or complete our online form to schedule your appointment. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Broward and Miami-Dade Counties.
