In some cases, domestic violence can be an unexpected and terrifying experience. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence states that almost twenty people are physically abused by an intimate partner per minute in the United States. Some of these instances of abuse do not involve a partner who has a history of violence. A domestic violence case can involve a perpetrator who has never even had a speeding ticket. On the other hand, some cases involve a perpetrator who has a long, recorded history of violence. Every case of domestic violence, no matter the details, needs the help of a good domestic violence lawyer.
For Support
Some victims of domestic violence do not have the social support systems that they need while they are attempting to pursue legal action against their attackers. A lawyer can help victims find free support groups, and most importantly, a lawyer can help to prove that a victim has the right to hold their attacker legally responsible. Other victims may feel that they have plenty of support, but family members and friends may be too emotionally involved in the case. Advice from family and friends is not the same as gaining sound, legal advice from a lawyer.
For Safety
An experienced domestic violence lawyer may recognize patterns in a case that the general public will miss. For example, even if a victim doesn’t realize that the assaults have increased in frequency or brutality, a lawyer can review medical records and police records to verify that an abuser has progressed their assaults in some way. The safety of a domestic violence victim is very important to a good lawyer.
For Courage
Confronting an abuser can be more frightening than the abuse in some ways. This happens to victims who have experienced trauma, and most lawyers understand how trauma affects decisions. Some victims are so afraid of retaliation from their abusers that they refuse to hold abusers legally accountable. However, with help from a good lawyer, victims can feel strong enough to hold their abusers personally accountable.
