MIAMI, Florida. A woman was recently killed by her husband outside a Miami city hall while the couple was on their way to get a divorce. According to the Miami Herald, the husband and wife had been arguing, with reports indicating that the husband believed his wife was cheating on him. The tragic crime appears to be one of passion and not one that was premeditated, but it highlights the real risk women face when they choose to leave a marriage where domestic violence has been a factor. Sometimes domestic violence begins as controlling behavior and escalates to violence. According to the Huffington Post, 36 percent of divorce lawyers have seen an increase in divorce cases in which a restraining order was involved.
If you are considering getting divorced, it is important to understand the signs of domestic violence. A partner might not have been violent, but there are certain indications that a partner could become violent. Women are most at risk of violence when leaving a marriage or relationship.
So, what are some signs your partner could potentially become violent? Here are a few:
- Your partner uses money to control you
- Your partner controls your activities and coming and going
- Your partner is verbally abusive
- Your partner accuses you of cheating
- You are being gaslighted—your partner talks to you in a way that makes you second-guess your decisions or second-guess your sense of reality.
If you have experienced any of these behaviors, you may want to take added precautions when filing divorce papers. Have a plan in place. If you have experienced physical violence in your relationship, it becomes even more essential that you seek help.
What can you do to protect yourself? First, put your safety and your children’s safety first. Understand that a restraining order can help you should you need to call the police, but might only have a limited effect on preventing an ex from showing up at your door. Many women choose to find a safe place or a location where their ex won’t expect them to be. Community resources offer safe houses and other locations women and their children can stay during the initial breakup to keep them safe. If you are worried that your ex won’t take the news well, you can either leave the house and leave a letter or divorce papers, or choose to break the news to your partner with other people present whom you trust. If you have children, you may want to keep them away from the situation.
Sometimes individuals are gradually pulled into abusive patterns and are unaware that they have entered an abusive situation. If other loved ones are concerned for you or your well-being, you may want to seek help. You are not alone. Sandy B. Becher, P.A. are Miami, Florida divorce lawyers who work closely with individuals facing difficult separations. Don’t hesitate to get help. Our firm can help you seek a restraining order, help you file for divorce, and help you put protections in place for you and your children. Visit us at https://sandybecher.com/ to learn more.
