Each year, more than 10 million Americans will experience some form of domestic violence: whether emotional, financial, online, or physical abuse.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, but research shows that lower-income Americans are at higher risk of experiencing intimate partner violence, and more likely to encounter higher barriers to accessing quality legal support. In fact, according to a study conducted by the Legal Services Corporation, 88% of domestic violence survivors did not receive enough or any legal help, while 98% of low-income survivors experienced at least one additional civil legal problem in the past year.
At Marble Law, a consumer firm that deals with family law matters, we believe everyone should have access to legal care, especially those who have had to deal with the traumatic circumstances of domestic violence. We're grateful to have had the opportunity to provide survivors with legal support.
As practicing attorneys, we have a role to play as advocates for our clients — and, in instances of domestic abuse, this can mean providing more than just legal services. When necessary, practicing attorneys can be a resource to clients who may need access to mental health professionals and other related services, especially in situations where they may be in serious danger.
Over the years, such experiences have opened our eyes to the challenges and scope of appropriate legal services in the case of abusive relationships — and to the fact that seeking legal protection is only half the battle.
So how should we, the legal community, along with policymakers, adapt to these challenges?
The first step is recognizing that tackling domestic abuse is not solely a legal or legislative challenge, but rather a societal one that requires changing attitudes and eliminating stigma. This means public awareness campaigns, community resources, and educational initiatives that teach people about the emotional complexities involved in domestic abuse.
According to the CDC, some of the best ways to reduce or prevent intimate partner violence are by teaching safe and healthy relationship skills, providing safe spaces, strengthening economic support for families, and through first responder and legal protections.
The battle against domestic abuse cannot be fought and won in the courtroom alone. It requires a collective effort that acknowledges the multifaceted challenges victims face, from navigating the labyrinthine legal system to overcoming deeply ingrained emotional barriers. By taking a holistic approach that encompasses both legal and emotional dimensions, we can more effectively arm victims with the tools they need to escape abuse.
Law firms, legal aid organizations, policymakers, and mental health professionals must come together to offer an integrated solution. By addressing the emotional alongside the legal aspects of domestic violence, we seek to make it substantially easier for victims to break free from the clutches of their abusers and move toward a life characterized by safety, dignity, and emotional well-being.
Editor's Note: The above guest column was penned by Jeffrey Pollak, founder and principal attorney at Marble PC. Marble is one of America’s most high-tech and fastest-growing law firms. The law firm works with attorneys in ten states and growing, and is on a mission to reinvent how “consumer law” is practiced, bringing transparent pricing, high-quality legal work and an AI-enabled client experience into the industry.
