Navigating Divorce After Domestic Violence: The Benefits of ADR

Navigating the complexities of divorce is challenging in any circumstance, but for survivors of domestic violence, the process of legal separation can be particularly intimidating. Most people think of domestic violence as the act of physical abuse, however, domestic violence can be described as any action or pattern that affects a spouse’s health and safety. It is estimated that one out of every five marriages, or 20% of marriages in the US involve domestic violence. It can be very hard for individuals who are victims of domestic abuse to want to get divorced. There is often fear that the abusing spouse will retaliate, and the victims believe that enduring the trauma and avoiding conflict is easier than seeking a divorce. Even when these victims make it to court, many survivors face the agonizing prospect of reliving traumatic experiences in the courtroom. This post was originally published on the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution website on March 5, 2024. The original post can be accessed via the Archived Link button above.