People leaving relationships that involve domestic violence are often placed in particularly vulnerable positions. Abuse frequently escalates when people leave unhealthy relationships. There may be a need for a domestic violence protective order.
If there are children in the household, evidence of abuse may be necessary to protect them from an unsafe custody arrangement. Sufficient documentation is necessary for the courts to consider domestic violence when ruling on requests for protection or custody concessions.
What types of evidence can be helpful?
1. Police reports
Anytime law enforcement professionals respond to domestic violence calls, there is a paper trail produced. Calls to local authorities, arrests and criminal charges are among the most compelling evidence of domestic violence.
2. Medical records
Documentation of injuries consistent with domestic violence can help prove that one person abuse or battered another. Injuries ranging from lacerations and contusions to broken bones can prove domestic violence occurred, especially if one person routinely seeks care for traumatic injuries.
3. Personal records
People experiencing domestic violence often feel as though they can’t seek medical care or call the police. In such cases, keeping a detailed written record or securely saved videos of a person during each act of domestic violence can help prove a pattern of abusive behavior. Personal records that affirm when and where incidents happen, exactly what occurred and who may have witnessed the incident or its aftermath can help validate that abuse previously occurred.
With sufficient documentation, people can work to protect themselves when leaving an abusive relationship. Working with an attorney familiar with domestic violence cases can help people pursue protection and appropriate divorce terms accordingly.