It was a privilege to offer a recent presentation to the Minnesota Judicial Branch concerning domestic abuse issues – my third invitation to teach over the last two years.
Over 130 judges and law clerks were in attendance to learn about the four types of cases that can result from an allegation of child abuse:
Domestic violence can impact its victims in many ways: emotionally, physically, financially, and legally. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that over 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. For victims of domestic violence or abuse, it can be difficult for parties to leave and receive the help and protection they need.
What
The state of Minnesota provides two excellent options for addressing harassment: orders for protection and harassment restraining orders. Although similar in many respects, these orders hold several key differences, which tend to prompt confusion among petitioners. Many of these distinctions involve the following eligibility standards:
Petitioner Relationship
Depending on the type of order sought by
Domestic abuse plagues far too many Minnesota families, with data from the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women revealing that a tragic 24 Minnesotans died at the hands of partners or other family members in 2017. Many others experience considerable physical and mental suffering. Few seek the help they deserve. Resources are within reach, however, and many local organizations are ready to lend a helping hand — as highlighted below.
Continue Reading Minnesota Resources for Domestic Abuse Victims
You’ve finalized the divorce process and are ready to move on with your life. Unfortunately, if you have kids, the complications are far from over. No matter the nature of your parenting plan, you’re likely to run into drama as new romances arise — and as a new mother or father figure enters your child’s life. While you’d like to think the best of your spouse’s parenting judgment, there’s never any guarantee that your ex’s new boyfriend or girlfriend is worthy of spending time with your kids.
Continue Reading Do You Suspect Your Ex’s New Significant Other Is Abusing Your Kids?
Behaviors spread more easily than we care to admit. Research suggests that merely having obese friends predisposes you to weight gain. Likewise, you’re more likely to pick up a cigarette if your friends regularly smoke. Unfortunately, the same principle holds true with marriage and divorce, as we demonstrate below:
Domestic violence plagues far too many households, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. In our last article, we highlighted several resources available to suffering Minnesotans — but we merely scratched the surface. Additional resources are explored in detail below:
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
Featuring ninety regional programs throughout the state, the
According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men have been subject to some form of domestic violence. Unfortunately, this threat is alive and well in Minnesota; a report from the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women suggests that 24 Minnesotans died at the hands of abusers in
Emotional abuse can take many forms, but it nearly always leads to a fearful spouse who alters behavior in hopes of keeping the abusive person happy. Abusers use tactics often seen in POW camps, as they realize that it’s easier to exert control via emotional manipulation than through physical means. Such behavior can leave lasting scars, including feelings of helplessness or shame. Many victims of emotional abuse struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
When you picture domestic violence, you probably imagine a black eye or other assorted bruises. Sometimes, however, the marks of domestic abuse aren’t visual. Emotional abuse also constitutes domestic violence, and yet, victims often fail to receive the support they so desperately need.
Not only is emotional abuse a form of domestic violence, it’s the