Ways To Protect Children From Domestic Violence In Fort Lauderdale
Domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale involves abusive behavior on the part of one spouse towards the other and includes physical violence, threats, and mental cruelty. Unfortunately, this can have devastating effects not only on victims but their children as well.
Our Fort Lauderdale domestic violence lawyer provides caring support and fierce legal help to clients in these cases. Find out more about the potential impact abuse can have on children and ways you can help protect them.
How Domestic Violence Impacts Children and Ways to Protect Them
The Florida Department of Children and Families advises that over 100,000 incidents of domestic violence get reported each year, while thousands of other cases go unreported. In addition to jeopardizing their spouse or domestic partner, abusers endanger the well-being of children in the home as well.
Exposure to violence in the home can have lasting effects on children. The National Institutes of Health reports that it can hinder their abilities at school, increases the risks of aggressive behavior, and may cause long-term Post-Traumatic Stress. If you have an abusive spouse, take the following actions to protect yourself and your children:
- Acknowledge the problem rather than trying to hide it from them;
- Make safety a priority and have an escape plan in place;
- Get support from family members, friends, and domestic violence organizations in the area;
- Collect photos, texts, and other evidence of the abuse;
- Document how the situation impacts your children, such as worsening grades or frequent fights with friends;
- Take legal action, such as notifying the police and requesting a restraining order.
A restraining order, or a Florida Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence, can protect your safety and financial security by giving you rights to the family home or other property and requiring your spouse to pay support. It can also protect your children, restricting the abuser’s access to them.
How Friends and Family Can Help Protect Children From Domestic Violence In Fort Lauderdale
It takes a tremendous amount of courage to speak up about domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale. Multiple factors can impact the safety of victims and their children in the aftermath. If a friend or family member is in this type of dangerous situation, ways you can help include:
- Allow the parent and child to express their feelings without judgment;
- Encourage counseling and professional legal help;
- Provide a safe play to stay;
- Help the parent maintain normalcy for the children, keeping with regular schedules and extracurricular activities;
- Remain vigilant and notify law enforcement if the abuser makes any threats or otherwise tries to intimidate you.
Reach Out To Our Fort Lauderdale Domestic Violence Lawyer Today
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in Fort Lauderdale, know that help is available. Vanessa L. Prieto is an experienced Fort Lauderdale domestic violence lawyer. She protects victims and their families, providing the caring support and fierce legal representation you need during this difficult time. To find out how we can help, reach out and contact our office. Request a confidential consultation today.
Sources:
myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence/resources/domestic-violence-statistics
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10213576/
flcourts.gov/Resources-Services/Office-of-Family-Courts/Family-Court-in-Florida/Domestic-Violence/Overview-for-Petitioners
