How to navigate divorce in domestic violence cases

On Behalf of | Nov 3, 2021 | Domestic Violence |

Divorce can be hard for any New Hampshire couple, but it’s unimaginably hard and sometimes deadly when there’s domestic violence involved. An abused partner seeking to leave their marriage has to think about their safety, as an abusive partner finding out about divorce plans can often turn deadly.

How does divorce impact domestic violence?

Studies show that abusive partners become even more abusive when their partners make the choice to leave. The physical abuse gets worse, often becoming deadly.

In Texas, 68 percent of abusers used some sort of firearm to murder their female partners and 146 women were killed by their partners alone. Of the 146 who were killed, 40 percent had recently broken up with their partner or were in the process of breaking up.

How to safely divorce your abusive partner

Instead of just thinking about where they’ll go after the divorce, many people must think about their safety immediately before and during the divorce. Many people have to create a safety plan in order to leave without their partners noticing.

This safety plan will generally include what they’ll take with them, how they’ll physically leave the shared residence, and where they’ll go. It’s important that they go somewhere safe where their partners can’t find them.

Once they’re somewhere safe, they can carry out the divorce from a secure location. This is the part where a person would plan out the intangible parts of their divorce – securing financial compensation, assets and starting a protection order.

What if you’re being abused?

If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, it’s important to get help right away. Reach out to family or friends that can help you get out of the house or call the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-7233.