Safety Post-Separation

Physical safety, including children’s safety, are of grave concern to survivors. Mothers feel powerless to protect their children. The risk of lethality is heightened during the first three months of leaving a highly controlling partner.

Institutional betrayal is another contributor to the survivor’s loss of safety due to ignorance or lack of concern of intimate partner violence. Abusers violate orders without recourse which increases the survivor’s fear, shame and sense of justice.

Privacy is another safety need that the perpetrator invades through the court system. Compelling disclosures of residence, employers, medical records and other sensitive information

Long term health consequences for survivors include PTSD, depression, auto immune disease and anxiety. Forced contact with the abuser through court appearances and court ordered coparenting leaves the survivor vulnerable to the abusers’ tactics to maintain power and control and interfering with the survivor’s ability to heal from the trauma. Excessive legal fees required to protect themself and their children impact safety needs as well. Loss of custody due to the abuser’s tactics, cause high levels of distress and intense grief for mothers.