Breaking the Cycle – part 2 by April Ballestero The cycle of domestic violence, as shared in part 1 of our 12 part series is an increasingly deeply personal concern, yet for many a silent killer.  The teenager’s stories shared in our media are sadly helping spread the awareness and education.  Hope is what we [...]

Contempt: One Option for Enforcing Support Payments There are many parties to a dissolution who have obtained an order for support but are receiving nothing because the party ordered to pay support has stopped making payments or never made payments in the first place. One option for a party who is not receiving the child, [...]

As one of the most under reported crimes in the United States, domestic violence has been identified as the single major cause of injury to American women, exceeding rapes, muggings, and even auto accidents combined. (Surgeon General’s Office) The law defines domestic violence as the use of force, directed toward a spouse or former spouse, a cohabitant or former cohabitant, or a person with whom the abuser has had a dating or engagement relationship. Thus, a domestic violence batterer may include any family member, including siblings, grandparents, or a roommate.

In the beginning of a relationship, there is excitement and enchantment. That certainly was the case for Yvette Cade, who told her story on The Oprah Winfrey Show. When she first met Roger Hargrave, she said he was seemed very loving and caring. Shortly after they married, Hargrave became verbally abusive. It wasn’t long before his insults led to physical abuse. Yvette worked up the courage to separate from Hargrave but that didn’t end the abuse. “I felt like a prisoner in my own home,” she told Oprah during the episode that originally aired May 3, 2006.