When raising children, parents make a conscious decision to put the needs of their child before their own. Raising children can be nerve-wracking, stressful, and challenging, so it can be helpful to have a solid parenting team. Unfortunately, in the aftermath of a divorce, the parenting unit of father and mother is severely altered. When deciding how to approach your child custody case, it is important to know the benefits of various types of parenting plans. If you believe that sole-custody parenting is the best option for you and your family, you should fully understand the benefits and potential drawbacks.

The Benefits of Sole-Custody Parenting

A sole-custody parenting plan is, in some cases, the best option for a parent and their children. Sole-custody parenting can enable a child to maintain a certain level of consistency in their academic schedule, extra-curricular activities, and living situation. If you and your former spouse no longer have a relationship that can work as a functioning parenting team, it is likely the best option for one parent to be awarded sole custody. In cases of domestic abuse, a sole-custody parenting plan is almost always the best option.

The Potential Negatives of Sole-Custody Parenting

As mentioned above, sole-custody parenting can be the right option for a number of reasons, but a parenting plan that only involves one parent can come with some negatives. Children only living with one parent are more likely to fall below the poverty line, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau. These financial concerns are, in large part, due to the fact that only approximately 50% of custodial mothers have child support plans established in court. Out of those established plans, 25% of mothers expecting to receive child support never do. A sole-custody parenting plan can also be difficult for children to cope with emotionally. Sole-custody means that the child will likely have a less significant (or even non-existent) relationship with the other parent.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 10 million Americans are abused by an intimate partner each year. In all, 20 Americans experience domestic abuse every single minute, across the United States. Domestic abuse is one of the most physically dangerous and emotional traumatizing crimes to be a victim of. In many cases, victims are afraid to leave, do not want to alert authorities, and may still have an emotional connection to their abuser. In other situations, children are involved, and that can lead to increased complications and concerns.

Still, domestic violence can escalate quickly, and removing you and your family from a violent situation is the most important step you can take in ensuring your safety. If you or a loved one are facing domestic violence at home, contact law enforcement officials immediately and reach out to a team of legal representatives you can trust.

Long Lasting Impacts of Domestic Violence

Cases of domestic violence can come with ramifications that can last a lifetime. Physical violence can lead to loss of work hours, costly medical bills, and chronic post-traumatic stress. According to the NCADV, as many as 60% of victims of intimate violence lose their jobs because of complications forming from the abuse. Domestic violence can also impact the lives of children in the household.

When considering a divorce, children are often at the forefront of the discussion. Sadly, there are hundreds of couples who elect to stay in unhealthy relationships as a means of ensuring their children have a home with both spouses, but what happens when you disagree with the parenting tactics of your spouse? More importantly, what should you do if your spouse is parenting your children in an abusive manner?

Child abuse can cause irreparable harm to a child’s mental psyche and emotional development. If you believe your child is being abused by your spouse, it is time to contact law enforcement officials and seek out legal guidance.

Different Types of Abusive Parenting

While most people assume that child abuse can only come through the form of physical violence, abusive parenting is not limited to physical harm. Verbal abuse, such as belittling and violent yelling, can also result in childhood trauma.

Every single year, approximately 10 million Americans face some form of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse can come in the form of physical violence, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct, but regardless of the form, the abused party needs to remove themselves from the situation. When speaking with a loved one or a friend that is in an abusive relationship, it is important to know what to say, and how to say it. Domestic abuse continues to be a tragically prominent issue here in the United States, as 1 in 7 American women have been abused by a partner. If you or a loved one is in the midst of an abusive relationship, contact law enforcement officials as soon as possible, and meet with a legal professional that can help you move away from the dangerous situation.

What To Say To a Domestic Abuse Victim

As a friend or a family member of a domestic abuse victim, you have a responsibility to help your loved one remove themselves from the situation. Knowing what to say through these difficult conversations can make all the difference in ensuring that your loved one can safely escape the dangerous relationship.

They Are Not Alone: In many abusive relationships, the victim believes that they are alone in this situation; that notion could not be further from the truth. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 33% of all American women have faced abuse in an intimate relationship. Knowing that they are not alone can give abuse victims the confidence to reach out to a trained professional and receive the help and guidance they need.

In the vast majority of marriages, fighting starts and ends in verbal quarrels. Still, there are thousands of marriages throughout the United States in which one spouse faces domestic abuse from their partner. Here in the state of Illinois, there are more than 40,000 adult survivors of domestic abuse, and approximately 8,000 child witnesses. While escaping a toxic domestic situation can be difficult, remaining in one can be dangerous for you and your children. If you experience domestic abuse, contact law enforcement personnel as soon as possible.

Domestic Violence Throughout the United States

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), more than ten million Americans face domestic abuse each year. Domestic abuse disproportionately impacts women, as approximately 1 in 3 women in the U.S. experience abuse in an intimate relationship. When facing domestic violence in a marital relationship, it is critically important for the victim to remove themselves from the situation. Victims of prolonged domestic abuse are more likely to face issues of post-traumatic stress, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm.

The Impact on Children

Studies conducted by the NCADV found that 1 in 15 American children witness domestic abuse in intimate relationships. The vast majority of these situations occur in parental relationships in which one spouse is abusing the other. Witnessing this type of dangerous domestic violence can have a profound impact on a child’s development, leading to post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. While some spouses believe that remaining together can be positive for the children involved, this is certainly not the case in abusive relationships.