DIGITAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A TRAGIC TREND (PART 1)
March 27, 2017
Four clicks.
That is how long it takes to upload a photo on Facebook. Posting a picture or two online is easy, even for social media novices. However, a sinister offshoot of this activity is making life difficult for the subjects of these photos.
Nonconsensual pornography has made headlines with celebrities robbed of the limited privacy they have. Better known as "revenge porn," it is not exclusive to the rich and famous.
The term is actually a misnomer. "Revenge porn" is not about revenge, but power. Anyone who shares sensitive images to those they trust often find themselves the victims of a malicious form of abuse beyond or in addition to physical, psychological and emotional.
Digital abuse is a form of domestic violence that can have an equally serious impact on a victim's mental health.
Various studies reveal alarming statistics:
- Ninety percent of victims are women (Cyber Civil Rights Initiative)
- Out of 5,000 adults, 57 percent of single men and 45 percent of single women have received explicit photos through "sexting." (Match.com)
- Thirty-eight percent of single men and 35 percent of single women have sent their own "sexts." (Match.com)
- One in ten ex-partners have threatened to share private photos of their ex online. Sixty percent follow through. (McAfee)
As with all forms of abuse, offenders use this online form of manipulation to control and intimidate a partner. They distribute the photos by uploading them on social media sites, using the victims name to create an imposter profile.
Others use pornography websites who have "revenge porn" categories. In addition to the images, abusers provide their victims' real names, email and physical addresses, phone numbers and other information.
Even more troubling, nonconsensual pornography is often a symptom of existing abuse. Pictures are taken or shared under pressure or by deception. The intimate images remain as a "Sword of Damocles" over the heads of victims should they wish to leave their relationships.
A sliver of promise exists for victims. Nonconsensual pornography is being criminalized across the United States, a topic we will cover in our next post.
The "burning bed" defense would forever change the way domestic violence was viewed. A legal strategy served as a catalyst for all legislation regarding domestic abuse. Equally as important, it would also establish the way law enforcement approaches the criminal act. Francine Wilson went to trial for killing her abusive husband in a landmark spousal abuse case that became the subject of a book and television movie, "The Burning Bed." Wilson passed away on March 22 of complications from pneumonia at the age of 69. In 1977, Wilson, whose last name was then Hughes, took the life of her husband, James "Mickey" Hughes, in 1977 by setting fire to their bed while he slept. Her testimony at trial painted a grim picture of the horrors she endured at the hands of her husband. Arjen Greydanus, Wilson's defense attorney, said that the account she gave the jury was effective in her being found not guilty due to temporary insanity. At the time, temporary insanity was not a recognized defense. Greydanus was certain that a traditional self-defense approach would not have resulted in a not-guilty verdict. The case captured the attention of the nation. Wilson's story became the subject of a book and a 1984 TV movie "The Burning Bed" starring Farrah Fawcett. Greydanus' legal "hook" became well known as the "burning-bed" defense. Jim Hughes, Wilson's son, recalled the bad times that outweighed the good. As a child, he could only watch as the police showed up at the family home, only to leave without doing anything. His mom would be battered and bloody after his father threatened her life. He also recalled that after the trial, book and movie, his mother was ready to put it all behind her. She considered that chapter of her life over. Wilson would eventually remarry and move to Tennessee before settling in Alabama, working as a licensed practical nurse.
There is no way to be 100 percent prepared for the divorce process. Even if you have a solid grasp of what this will entail, there are sure to be challenges along the way. There are many things you can do to prepare for divorce, which can help you make the right decisions as the process moves forward. Here are some of the top steps to take : Get professional help. There are many types of professionals who can assist you during this difficult time, ranging from an attorney to a tax professional. Review your finances. You need to know where you stand with respect to your finances. This includes everything from the amount of money you earn to how much debt you are carrying. Open your own accounts. Now that your marriage is just about over, you need to open your own accounts. This can include a bank account, retirement account and credit cards, among others. Make changes to your estate plan. This is one of the most overlooked things that you can do to prepare for divorce. Your estate plan will need some adjustments now that you will be single in the near future. Along with this, you need to prepare for what the future could bring with respect to your children (if you have any). Address questions such as: Where will your children live? How will you ensure that you remain a big part of their life? Will you owe child support? Are you in position to receive child support? Answering these questions will give you a clear idea of what to expect down the road. It is hard to prepare for divorce , as you don't know what will happen as the weeks and months go by. Even so, you should do whatever you can to put yourself on the right track. This will improve the likelihood of a smooth and efficient process.
Understanding the types of domestic violence in California can help you determine if you are a victim of this form of abuse. While most people recognize that physical abuse is not okay, there are other forms that are less common, but just as destructive. We at the Law Office of Steven Medearis have outlined some types that are not as well-known so that you can get help if you are caught in a dangerous relationship. According to American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, your partner can actually commit spiritual abuse by controlling your family's religious preferences. If he or she ridicules you, prevents you from practicing or forces beliefs that you do not agree with onto your children, this is considered spiritual abuse. Manipulating you with spiritual beliefs is also wrong. Other forms of abuse can concern your economic or financial situation. If your partner demands that you choose a certain occupation or prevents you from working altogether, you may be experiencing this type of abuse. This can also happen if your partner withholds shelter, clothes, food or other physical resources from you as punishment or an incentive. Other more obvious forms of financial abuse are stealing or withholding money. Many people do not realize that their partner can be charged with stalking, but certain actions are illegal, even within a marriage. If your spouse unexpectedly shows up at your work to check on you, goes through your garbage, repeatedly calls you or tries to get information about you from your family members or friends, this can be considered stalking. For more information on domestic violence, please visit our web page.
California parents who are splitting up will have to deal with issues of child custody. If you're going into a custody battle, you'll need to know what sort of factors can determine who is awarded primary custody, and what might be a strike against you if you're trying to win it. The Spruce lists out a number of different factors that courts take into consideration when determining how to deal with child custody . Some are obvious factors, such as whether or not you have a criminal history or any felonies on your record. Your physical and mental health will also be taken into consideration, as there are some situations in which one parent may not be considered fit to raise a child on their own by the courts. The interpersonal relationships in your family will also likely be scrutinized. For example, how well you and your ex-spouse can get along will be examined. Your closeness with the child in question may be looked at as well. Consistency and provisional capabilities are also big factors. For example, if you were taking care of your child for the majority of your relationship, the judge may vote for this to continue for the sake of normalcy. If you have the ability to financially provide for your child in a better way than your ex-spouse, this may also be considered. In the end, no two cases of child custody are determined in the same way. It's all up to your unique dynamic as a family, and your relationships with one another.
