| When domestic abuse survivors show up in the | | | | We know what's actually going on here is that she |
| system to protect their children and themselves from | | | | he is inviting you into a round of legalized gambling. |
| family violence, they can unknowingly step into | | | | You are betting it's going to break, and they are |
| "institutionalized abuse." This is especially true when | | | | betting it won't. And the established dollar investment |
| they rely on family court to provide remedy for | | | | risk is how you bridge the gap. Once we engage in |
| domestic violence. | | | | this agreement, we are both involved in a bet that is |
| What Is Institutionalized Abuse? | | | | out in the open and deemed acceptable and |
| Institutionalized abuse is where one person willfully, | | | | legitimate. |
| openly and legally is taking advantage of and violating | | | | The same is true for "institutionalized abuse." When |
| the rights and liberties of another person...all while | | | | judges, divorce lawyers, custody evaluators and |
| being paid. | | | | healthcare providers willfully and openly assist in the |
| People worldwide look to divorce court for protection | | | | perpetuation of individual and family violations, they |
| against family violence and are abused by the judicial | | | | are engaging in abuse that is institutionalized. |
| process and its legal agents as, if not more severely | | | | How to Survive Amidst Institutionalized Abuse |
| than, they were in their marriages. | | | | If you are a domestic violence survivor in divorce |
| In their devastation, they deteriorate as they persist | | | | court and you see yourself being further and further |
| in pushing against what is. And with this, the legal | | | | abused through the abuse of power, stop and see it |
| abuse expands until it defines and paralyzes them. | | | | for what it is. You are facing abuse deemed |
| You may have heard me refer to this as "systemic | | | | legitimate via the system. |
| abuse," meaning abuse evolving out of the workings | | | | The absolute best thing you can do for yourself is |
| of the system. The reference here to it being | | | | learn to work around it as you encounter it. Your job |
| institutionalized speaks to it as open, legitimate | | | | is not to control it...terminate it, any more than you |
| acceptable practice. | | | | can stop the merchants from soliciting extended |
| Institutionalized Abuse and Legalized Gambling | | | | warranties. But you can say "no" to it. |
| I liken abuse that is institutionalized to legalized | | | | Your mission then becomes how to say "no" to |
| gambling. You know how it is when you pay for your | | | | institutionalized abuse. From here, you can end your |
| new electronics and the clerk asks, "Would you like | | | | ordeal with family violence, while you protect yourself |
| an extended warranty on that?" | | | | and your loved ones. |