Domestic Violence

 Posted on June 16, 2013 in Family Law

Many people who are involved in domestic violence are convinced that it is the correct way to live and that they deserve the abuse or that the person whom they are abusing deserves it. Domestic abuse, however, is never okay, no matter what the situation is.

Here are a few common myths about domestic violence:

• No one should interfere with the family, it is private and the man of the house can take care of it. This is not true- if interfering with one’s family means stopping abuse, it is 100 percent necessary. No one has the right to beat another person, battery is illegal and that is what physical abuse is.
• If a woman is beaten, it is her own fault because she brings it upon herself by acting improperly in some way. In reality, in domestic abuse cases, people are beaten for reasons as simple as a room not being properly cleaned or because a child was crying. The abusive partner refuses to control his or her violence and the significant other pays the price.
• If someone stays with a person who abuses them, they must enjoy the abuse and do not need or want someone to help them get out of the relationship. Nobody likes getting abused. There are countless reasons why a person may stay in an abusive relationship, but not one of them is because they like the abuse. Realistic reasons include: emotional attachments to their partners, financial difficulties of separating, keeping the family together, fear of increased violence if the partner finds out they are trying to get out and religious reasons.

Illinois law defines abuse as:

• Harassment such as interrupting you at your job, constantly watching, calling or following you, threatening physical abuse and not allowing you to see your child
• Physical abuse including nonconsensual sex, holding you in a location unwillingly, pushing and hitting

If you are in an abusive relationship, get out as soon as possible. Often times, the abuse only gets worse. Contact a divorce attorney for help to get out of your relationship now. Martoccio & Martoccio attorneys located in DuPage, Cook, Kane and Will Counties can help you get free today.

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