NCJ Number
109644
Journal
Practical Lawyer Volume: 33 Issue: 5 Dated: (July 1987) Pages: 53-60
Date Published
1987
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This advice for lawyers in dealing with female clients examines how to recognize when the woman is being abused by her husband, how to deal appropriately with domestic violence, and what issues to address when domestic violence is occurring.
Abstract
Warning signs of abuse include observable physical injuries, which the attorney should investigate by questioning the client, who may be reluctant to volunteer information about the fact or extent of abuse she has suffered. Other symptoms of abuse are the battered woman syndrome, the woman's frequent change of jobs (may be due to the husband's pursuit of the woman at her place of work), the woman's being uncooperative about visitation, vacillation about the case, and marital rape. The attorney should be prepared to refer battered women to appropriate treatment programs and shelters as well as to the district attorney's office to obtain the appropriate order of protection. Mediation and joint custody are not appropriate in cases where there is abuse. Abuse may also be any issue when a noncustodial mother has kidnapped her children. Tort suits against the batterer can be effective when the abuser is wealthy and well-known in the community.