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Blog 2017 June Signs of Domestic Violence
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Signs of Domestic Violence

Posted By Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny || 8-Jun-2017

It’s hard to know what happens behind closed doors. People experiencing the daily trauma of domestic violence often feel unsafe or scared to tell someone else about the abuse. They could also fear that, even if they do tell, no one will believe them. There are ways to detect whether someone might be married to a domestic abuser. Here are some indications something dangerous may be happening.

Unexplained Injuries

Many people get bruises or cuts without realizing where they came from; however, these injuries are typically small. Unless someone is involved in a potentially dangerous physical activity, such as martial arts, numerous unexplained bruises, cuts, and breaks aren't a good sign. These injuries may look like they came from a punch, choking, or being thrown down. They will also likely try and hide these injuries with makeup or clothing.

Bad Excuses

Along with the injury, the person will also make weak or illogical excuses. If they weren’t accident prone before, it’s unlikely they would develop balance issues now. The seriousness of the injury will likely not line up with his or her explanation.

Isolation

Abusers will always try and isolate their victim. This separation allows better control over the victim and prevents his or her friends and family from interfering in the relationship. If you notice the person has fewer close friends or is kept from loved ones by their spouse, there might be abusive behavior going on.

Controlling Behavior

If you see the spouse of the person tends to have control issues, this is also a bad sign. Individuals who have to ask permission to do simple things like talking to other people, meeting with loved ones, or doing other day-to-day things might be in an abusive relationship. Abusers might also try and control the money situation in the relationship, so the abused has no resources to try and leave. A spouse with a foul temper is also a bad sign. The victim might refer to his or her spouse’s jealousy, possessiveness, or “bad temper.”

Children’s Behavior

If you notice the children of the potential victim regard the abuser with fear or distrust, this could indicate abusive behavior is happening in the household. Likewise, children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to develop behavioral problems, such as regressing, imitating actions, and being out of control.

Emotional Changes

If the person you suspect is a victim exhibits unusual symptoms of depression, including talking about suicide, this could be an indication something is seriously wrong. A gradual shift in behavior from someone who is usually confident to someone who has low self-esteem and is extremely apologetic is another indicator this behavioral change is caused by an abusive relationship.

If you suspect someone you love is being abused, don’t hesitate to take action. Talk to the person in private and let him or her know you’re concerned about the situation. Tell the person you are there to support them and help them out of the situation. Make sure you don’t judge or blame them for the abuse or place conditions on your support. You can also offer to help them file a temporary restraining order so he or she can initiate divorce proceedings without fear of repercussion. Texas Health and Human Services offers several resources for victims of domestic violence. Visit their website here.

To get started, call one of our skilled Houston divorce attorneys today. The Law Office of Kathryn Marteeny has 30 years of legal experience to put to work in your case. We can help you file a restraining order on someone else’s behalf and help them begin to create the conditions for their divorce. Talk to us in a consultation as soon as possible.

Contact us at (713) 936-2300 or fill out our online form to schedule your case review today.

Categories: Divorce, Family Law

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