If you are suffering from domestic abuse, you need to move on from your relationship immediately. However, your abuser is not going to make it easy. You need to know what you need to do and what to prepare for so that you can leave safely. Here are some of them
Recognizing Your Situation
The biggest obstacle that people in abusive relationships need to overcome is realizing that they are in a bad situation. Many victims of abuse don’t even think of it as abuse. However, being battered by physical violence is not normal, no matter what the excuse. Emotional abuse can be just as bad and is even harder to detect.
The important thing is to recognize the cycle of abuse. This is what keeps you from recognizing the problem. It starts with tension building in your relationship until another violent incident, whether emotional or physical happens. Afterward, your abuser tries their best to reconcile with you. This may seem like the end of it, and it is helped by the calm that follows. That is until the next cycle of tension building and violence.
Recognizing this cycle of abuse and wishing to escape it should help push you towards leaving your abuser.
Have A Plan
Once you have decided to leave, you should be making some plans. For one, you need to document your abuse. Take pictures and if possible, go to a clinic. They can provide you with medical reports that you will need in the future. It would be best if you also kept a journal of violent incidents. Include what happened, your injury, and what happened. This is another proof that you will need.
There are several things that you need to prepare for when you plan to leave. First, you’ll need money. Cash is best, and you need to get as much as you can. You should also pack important items. This includes credit cards, checkbooks, identification, records, and more. Make a list of important documents you need and get them all. Clothes are also essential. If you have any special heirlooms, you have to bring them along.
Reach Out For Assistance
You will not be able to do all of this alone. Help can come from a variety of sources. If you want to leave an abusive relationship, the best source of help would be a support services worker. They know the challenges that you will face. They can assist you in getting a protection order, which will bring in the police and can also assist in providing you with emergency accommodations. Your friends can also help provide you with a safety plan so that you can be able to live on your home without getting harmed.
It would be best if you also were looking to create a support network from friends and family. Being on your own is not going to be easy. Many problems will be simpler to handle if you know someone is out there to support you. At the very least, you know someone to contact when you need a friendly ear.
Legal Help Is Essential
Divorce is an essential part of leaving your relationship. You need to consult with a divorce attorney on what your options are. In the case of domestic abuse, you can get some help from the criminal court. You may need to file criminal cases against your partner. This can include everything from assault to harassment. The civil courts will also be a big help. You can file for court orders that will restrict your abuser from getting near you and may even help grant you permanent custody. The core of all this is filing a domestic violence complaint and a divorce. These can both help ensure that your abuser will face consequences and that your tie to them will be over. When hiring a lawyer, you’ll want someone who has experience in both to get the best possible legal help out there.
Get Therapy
Even after escaping your abuser, your ordeal is not over. You will not be able to heal all your scars overnight. The worse ones are the emotional ones. You will need to get counseling and therapy. This will allow you to better process your experience. The problem with abuse is that it can mess you up for life. Ensuring that you get treatment for it can be a big help in returning to normal.
Escaping domestic abuse is a difficult thing to do. Mentally and physically, your abuser is trying to beat you down. But don’t despair and don’t give up. People are out there willing to help you. All you need to do is to take that step, and they will be ready to give your assistance.
