Domestic violence is, unfortunately, one of the reasons that many people finally decide to end their marriages. These relationships deteriorate to the point that people do not feel physically safe.
This can lead to a confrontational divorce. It may mean that one spouse loses their right to see the children. It can lead to protection orders and even the intervention of the police.
How can people outside of the relationship spot domestic violence? While every case is different, some common signs include the following:
- Someone becomes isolated and stops seeing friends and family members as often as they used to. This could be because an abusive spouse is manipulating them.
- In conversations with others, the person often mentions arguments and instances where their spouse yelled at them. All couples disagree, but most couples do not scream at one another regularly.
- The victim starts to request permission to do anything from their spouse. Even simple things like going to get coffee with a friend make them feel like they have to ask permission and that they can’t go if they don’t get it.
- The victim has unexplained physical injuries. These may come with excuses that seem pretty transparent, such as saying that they got a black eye by walking into a door. Of course, a big part of the problem is repetition. One injury with a strange cause may be real, but, if these events happen over and over again, that’s a dangerous pattern.
If you are thinking of getting divorced because of abuse in your own relationship, make sure you know all of the legal steps you should take.