| Have you ever wondered who and what is driving | | | | ride is your new nightmare. The only difference is the |
| the war you are in...the court charade in your family | | | | weapons of destruction have changed. |
| law matter? | | | | What Fuels Domestic Violence Transformed into |
| Battered women ask, "What keeps this darn thing | | | | Legal Abuse? |
| going?" "How is it that he can continue to abuse me | | | | Abuse is about control and so is litigation. And |
| through the courts?" | | | | unfortunately for you, abusers thrive in this arena. |
| And, "Why do the rulings more often than not favor | | | | You witness your partner appearing to "enjoy" seeing |
| his side?" If you have asked yourself either of these | | | | you buckle while tormented with his endless legal |
| questions, then read on because this article is for | | | | stalking. |
| you. | | | | And you wonder how is it that the "helpers" are |
| Divorce War as Legalized Domestic Violence | | | | helping him carry out his campaign to wear you out |
| When the public looks in on a case and declares | | | | and ultimately break you down. You fear the |
| domestic abuse indeed exists, then what usually | | | | realization of his threats...to leave you childless, |
| happens is that the micro-dynamics quickly shift. The | | | | homeless and penniless. |
| battlefield fills with foreign soldiers as the sticks and | | | | Then you wonder, "What is driving this litigation? |
| stones in your backyard are replaced by judges, | | | | Who are the perpetrators? Is it your soon-to-be ex, |
| attorneys and guardian ad litem "for" the minor | | | | his counsel or even worse is it the court appointed |
| children. | | | | agents? Could it be the Judge?" you ask yourself. |
| Now, at first you think these folks are in place to | | | | Understanding the Larger Politics in Domestic Violence |
| "help" you protect your children. And deep in your | | | | Divorce |
| soul you long to see these so-called helpers break | | | | Let's pretend for a moment that any of the |
| the cycle of family violence that abounds. | | | | questions posed in this article have crossed your |
| But what you observe is not quite as you expected. | | | | mind. If you are with me here, I urge you to seek to |
| Instead, you find yourself thinking and feeling the | | | | unveil the larger underlying politics of your case. |
| same set of emotions that filled your day in your | | | | Because until you do, you could be playing the court |
| home before your divorce proceedings. | | | | assigned role of the "victim" in this court sage |
| This roller coaster of fear, anxiety and hope that you | | | | indefinitely. |