Violence or even the threat of retaliation in the home is a serious matter. If you believe that you’re beginning to see the first signs of it or you’re in the middle of it as a victim, then you shouldn’t just accept it.
Here are 4 ways that people can better protect themselves from domestic violence.
1. Know the Warning Signs
While it’s become somewhat more common for a former partner to blame their ex suggesting that “s/he was abusive,” people have different ideas about what this means.
For some, they are suggesting that their former partner was demanding, slightly controlling, or had an anger management problem. All of these could be seen as warning signs of potential domestic violence to come.
Certainly, these signs may be seen as indicators and suggest that the person was violent in previous relationships that you’re unaware of.
2. Violence is Never the Answer
While people have disagreements and can frustrate each other to the point of getting angry, both parties mustn’t antagonize each other. When tempers are fraught, that’s the time for someone to take a ‘time out’ to let cooler heads prevail.
Going beyond that by letting the situation boil over into a violent confrontation is never okay. You should be clear about that. No reasonable person who’s in control of their behavior needs to resort to physically attacking another person, and especially not in the home.
It may be necessary to report the matter to the police. Also, seeking to obtain an Order For Protection (OFP) can legally dictate what the offending party can and cannot do. This includes when they can be present and any visitation agreement with shared children. Seeking an attorney for an OFP is the way to approach it, should this be needed. Look at this attorney’s page to learn more: msuewilsonlaw.com.
3. Get Supporters to Rally Around
Your friends, neighbors, and other supporters should be told what your partner is doing. They may have resources available to you and be willing to offer them to get you out of a bad situation.
Also, they may drive over to rescue you if your partner comes home inebriated and starts to be abusive or violent. When suffering in silence, no one knows, and no one can help. Avoid doing that.
4. Find an Alternative Place to Stay
If you’re living with an abusive or violent partner, then you must find a new place to live.
When you lack the financial resources to do so because your partner has controlled the finances, then seek out a Woman’s Shelter. They provide affordable or free housing for situations of domestic violence, to allow women to leave the home and live in the shelter temporarily while they arrange a more permanent living situation.
While the law can certainly help to manage a domestic violence problem, it’s always best to create an exit strategy. Few women or men who are abusive in this manner ever stop or improve their behavior despite numerous promises when demanding change. Don’t wait for them to change, make the changes necessary for your life to be safe. Take back control.