Help for Victims of Domestic Violence

Help for Victims of Domestic Violence

Every February, people all over the world celebrate Valentine’s Day. We see the Instagram photos and wedding proposals, and all the stores are red and pink. Unfortunately, not everything is roses and chocolate for everyone.

Victims of domestic violence suffer in silence every day. Many of them endure abuse for years, afraid for themselves and their children’s lives. Leaving an abusive is extremely difficult, and finding help can be a daunting process. We hope this blog post can be of help to you or a loved one.

Warning signs

Abuse takes many forms, both physical and emotional. For example, many victims of domestic violence often have bruises on different parts of their skin. Some other physical signs include black eyes, busted lips, and even scratch marks.

There are also some signs not readily visible to the naked eye. For example, someone with no physical marks could be so internally abused that they develop low self-esteem and become withdrawn. Abusers tend to isolate their victims from their circle of friends and loved ones, making them even more vulnerable to their abuse. For these and other reasons, leaving a toxic relationship is extremely difficult and challenging.

How you can support

If you want to help someone who is or has experienced domestic violence, one of the first and most important things you can do for them is believe their story. Many victims fear that other people will not believe them –– in fact, abusers often use this threat as one of their tactics.

Another helpful thing you can do is offer specific support. For example, a victim might ask you to drive them somewhere or to stay at your place temporarily. Knowing they have your support and can count on you can be very affirming and reassuring.

There are systems in place designed to help victims. For example, here in California, Marsy’s Law guarantees victims certain rights, including confidentiality.

Hiring a lawyer can help protect a victim’s safety. They can secure restraining orders and other important documents to keep the abuser away. Depending on the specific circumstances of each case, a good attorney will be able to come up with an effective legal strategy.

At Justice 4 Crime Victims, victims come first. Their attorneys are dutifully qualified and handle each person with the utmost case –– they know how difficult it is for a victim to come forward. If you or someone you know in the SoCal area is in need of their services, give them a call for a free consultation: 949-585-9055