Domestic violence victims need support to leave and survive

Domestic violence can be a deeply dangerous threat to people in unhealthy relationships in Illinois on both a physical and an emotional level. Abuse in a relationship is a betrayal of trust as well as a form of physical, verbal, psychological or emotional violence that frequently escalates to a point of endangering a victim’s health.

Across the United States, approximately 20 people face physical abuse from their partners every minute of the day. This is a problem that affects people of all ages as nearly 1.5 million young people still in high school experience physical abuse at the hands of a partner every year. One in three teens is a victim of a sexually, emotionally, verbally or physically abusive relationship.

There are a number of agencies, shelters and non-governmental organizations that provide support, counseling and other forms of assistance to victims of domestic violence. These organizations can provide emergency aid, food assistance, shelter and other forms of support. For example, rehabilitative services like counseling, art therapy and support groups can provide an important measure of assistance for domestic violence victims while they are in an abusive relationship or even years after the relationship has ended.

Emergency care can be extremely important for people dealing with abuse, especially as cycles of abuse can escalate to become even more physically and psychologically dangerous. However, supporting a survivor of domestic violence also requires long-term solutions like economic support, medical aid and psychological assistance.

For an individual dealing with domestic violence or other forms of abuse in a relationship, speaking with a family law attorney can help them to understand their options for seeking divorce, pursuing child custody or dealing with other legal matters resulting from the abusive relationship. Abuse does not line up neatly along gender lines and can affect people of all social classes. A family law lawyer can be a critical part of a domestic violence victim’s road to better health after abuse.