Legal Help: Considering Exiting an Abusive Relationship? Here’s What You Need To Know

Family is everything. Our family members are the only ones who accept us despite our faults. But some actions are beyond forgiving, and domestic abuse is one of them.

Up until 2019, people were so busy with their lives that taking out time for family was very difficult. But since the spread of Coronavirus, people have been confined to their homes, and thus, have been spending all their time with their families. While this has proven a boon for most, for some families, it has sadly led to increased domestic abuse.

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COVID-19 and the rise of domestic abuse

If reports from Canada’s Police Department are to be believed, during March and June 2020, more than 38,000 calls were received by them about domestic disturbance. LLP associate lawyer, Alyssa Bach, says this spike in familial violence could be due to the financial crisis that the pandemic has brought.

A report from Alyssa’s firm states that there’s a 40% increase in divorce and separation cases due to abuse. Bach says that leaving an abusive partner gets more complicated when children are involved, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. While talking with HuffPost Canada, Bach explained the three types of abuse – financial, emotional, and physical. She even shared the following tips that should be followed to plan a smooth exit from an abusive relationship.

Akorbi | One of the first things you should do is talk openly to your lawyer about separation

Tip 1: Be frank and true to your lawyer

Alyssa says that separation or change can lead to agony and disruption. Hence, the victims should be vocal about their sufferings, especially in front of their lawyers. She advises victims to talk about how the abuse has impacted their children.

Bach says doing this will be beneficial for the lawyer as well as the victim in planning the next steps. She also suggests using free or low-cost options to get legal advice for the victims who don’t have enough finances.

Tip 2: Know about the resources in hand

If you’re a parent, you have a double responsibility. Bach says it’s important to find friends or family members to whom you can go in case of any mishap. She suggests that kids should never be exposed to abuse and the victim should contact a police station if the situation escalates. She also suggests victims learn about different shelter homes in the city.

Read – Here are some ways in which you can stay positive

Tip 3: Prepare yourself to become a single parent

Being a single parent can be difficult. The victim might want to delay separation from fear of the difficulties of raising a child alone. Bach says that there are many other aspects, like financial issues or societal pressure, which might push victims to bear the abusive relationship. She suggests victims come out of the abusive relationship because it will impact the child in the future.

The Philadelphia Trumpet | Start looking for state help and prepare to become a single parent

Wrapping up

Every relationship has issues, but if it becomes abusive, you need to let go of it. People often think about the difficulties associated with separation and continue to suffer. Living in a suffocating relation is detrimental to health, both mentally and physically.