How to Protect Your Children after Being Accused of Domestic Violence

Posted by William Aron | Mar 2, 2022

When a person is accused of domestic violence, their life can change forever. The person’s reputation, career, and social relationships are at risk, and they can also suffer legal punishments. A domestic violence charge can negatively affect your child’s ability to feel comfortable and rely on their parents. Not only will they possibly have to encounter challenging legal situations, but they also navigate what other people might be saying in their social circles.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that almost every 20 minutes, there is a person affected by domestic violence in the United States. Our lawyers at Aron Law Firm have experience helping clients in California who face serious domestic violence accusations. If you have been accused of domestic violence, it is vital that you know how to protect your children from the difficult legal proceedings that will likely follow.

How You Can Support Your Children after a Domestic Violence Accusation

Children look to their parents for love, support, and a positive environment to learn and grow. Unfortunately, when one of their parents is accused of domestic violence, they may question the reliability and love of their parents. It can be difficult for children to thrive in an environment where they feel unsafe or attacked. Accusations of domestic violence can affect children in several ways, including:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Aggressive Behavior
  • Self-Harm or Suicidal Thoughts
  • Repetitive Abusive Patterns
  • Physical Challenges

If you are accused of domestic violence, your children may be experiencing emotional distress and other effects due to the severity of the situation. You can protect your child after a domestic violence accusation by doing the following:

  • Talk to your children about healthy relationship dynamics.
  • Prioritize their safety by potentially allowing them to say with other trusted guardians while going through the legal process.
  • Speak with your children about the accusation without placing blame on either party.
  • Reassure your children that they have no fault in the accusations.
  • Make sure they feel comfortable discussing their feelings about the accusation with you.

Depending on the severity of the charges you have been accused of, a domestic violence accusation may result in a change or revocation of your custodial rights over your children. If you feel you may be at risk of losing custody of your children due to a domestic violence accusation, contact a domestic violence attorney as soon as possible. The sooner they can evaluate your case, the more time they have to gather evidence and information about the circumstances.

How Can a Domestic Violence Accusation Affect Your Custody Rights

When considering custody rights, the main priority and concern is always the safety and well-being of the child. A judge will evaluate the financial and physical ability of the individual’s situation and allot equal custodial rights between parents. However, when domestic violence is a part of the decision, the judge may express concern for the child if they award custody rights to the accused parent. The following are a few ways domestic violence can affect your custodial rights:

  • You may be granted supervised visitation overseen by a trained supervisor, and you may be responsible for paying for the cost of these supervised visitations.
  • In extreme cases, a judge may terminate your parental rights.

A domestic violence attorney may be able to help you defend your case to avoid extreme measures being taken if you believe that you have been wrongfully accused of domestic violence.

Get Help from a California Domestic Violence Lawyer

If you have been accused of domestic violence, you may face damaging repercussions as a result. From damaging your relationship with your children and other family or friends to making it difficult for you to get a job, a domestic violence accusation can have life-altering effects. To get help with your defense, contact a domestic violence lawyer in California as soon as possible.

Aron Law Firm is a team of California domestic violence lawyers providing clients with dedicated representation. Our dependable attorneys have the experience to help you build a strong defense to pursue the second chance that you deserve. To schedule a consultation, contact us here or call (805) 500-7745.