| Battered women in family court typically present in a | | | | her divorce proceedings. Her voice is muffled and her |
| way that supports the agenda of their opposition. | | | | case often not put forth before the court accurately, |
| They are emotional, unstable, personally challenged | | | | completely and in some case at all. She feels |
| and often out of sorts with themselves and their | | | | betrayed by those she has entrusted to help her and |
| circumstances. And the more out of balance they | | | | her children. Further, she sees herself at a loss as to |
| appear, the better for their opposition. The important | | | | how to change the ugly status quo. |
| question is, why does she present this way? Here | | | | 3) She is being tormented with the prospect of |
| are three of the most obvious reasons battered | | | | further violations to herself and to her children. Sadly, |
| women present themselves unfavorably in their | | | | this threat is often tied to her heroic efforts to |
| divorce proceedings. | | | | protect herself and her children. Or, it is tied |
| 1) The safety of her children is at risk and she | | | | to-though without cause-her mere coming out with |
| knows it. Children of batterers are more likely to also | | | | the abuse to herself and to her children. She knows |
| be victims of battering, than not. Unfortunately, the | | | | she's being punished for revealing the family |
| abuse to these children doesn't stop just because | | | | skeletons...the family violence. She feels impotent in |
| divorce is underway and civil court is looking in. To | | | | getting remedy for her disclosures and perceives a |
| the contrary, children of domestic violence divorce | | | | life sentence of abuse on the horizon. |
| are the carrots to perpetuate abuse to protective | | | | If you are a domestic abuse survivor in family court, |
| parents. And in so doing, the children become the | | | | you will want to do all you can to understand the |
| greatest casualties of family court violence. | | | | dynamics in play and build your strategy accordingly. |
| 2) Her personal, parental and civil rights are being, or | | | | You are in the fight of your life, so proceed wisely. |
| are threatening to be, violated as a by-product of | | | | |