It happens more than you know – divorcing couples squabbling over everything in their marriage. It could be the need to win the battle, maybe it is residual feelings of anger, or perhaps it is true hatred, but some of the failing marriages can end in an explosion of problems that require protection of one of the parties from the other. If you are experiencing a marriage with hostility that makes you feel unsafe, here are some things you can do to protect yourself and your children.
Take Action
Call the police if you find yourself in a hostile environment so that the problem is documented. If you don’t have a police report as proof of the problem, it can be a difficult situation for the courts as they try to decide between a ‘he said, she said’ situation. Also, if the police find you are in a position that compromises the safety of you or the children, the officers often ask the problem spouse to leave the house for the night to allow a period of cooling off.
Contact Help
If you fear for your safety, an attorney can help you obtain a protective order Fairfax from the courts. Although there are different types of orders, you can request one that demands your spouse stays away from you unless there is a supervised officer or court official at the meeting. This is a common type of protective order, so don’t be afraid to ask for one.
File Charges
When all else fails, file charges against the hostile spouse. Allegations may include threatening communications, harassment, assault, stalking, and sexual offenses. You may feel compassion, but if the behavior continues, your life could end up being forfeit as the violence escalates.
You don’t have to become a statistic. Take charge of the situation, and don’t allow your spouse to make you a victim. You can protect yourself from further harm.