BROOKLYN, New York. According to the New York Times, the suicide rate in the U.S. increased by 28 percent between 1999 and 2016. In a single year alone—2016—45,000 Americans killed themselves. With Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade’s recent suicides, suicide has once again captivated the national dialogue. Suicide is rarely the result of a character flaw, but rather is often the result of mental illness. With proper treatment, many suicides can be prevented. Not many people, however, are educated about the risk factors. [Read more…] about Divorce and Suicide Risk: What You Need to Know
Divorce is a Tough Decision: How to Make the Right One
BROOKLYN, New York. If you are considering divorce, you may be going back and forth about whether to move forward or to try to work it out with your partner. Making big decisions can be tough. How can you decide?
Before deciding to divorce, it is often wise to take the time to consider the consequences. For example, divorcing your partner will result in serious financial ramifications, especially if you have to split your home, assets, and retirement. While you shouldn’t remain in a marriage solely for financial reasons, it is important to consider the consequences of divorce. If you have children, you and your ex will need to consider child custody agreements. It might be wise to consider how you will feel spending weeks or weekends away from your children. After considering the consequences of divorce, then you may want to take time to consider the issues in your marriage that are leading you to consider divorce. Many couples try counseling before filing divorce paperwork. Counseling can be helpful even if you do choose to divorce, because it can help you and your partner work out your differences and anger before you bring in courts, finances, and legal concerns. [Read more…] about Divorce is a Tough Decision: How to Make the Right One
Understanding Consent and Domestic Violence
BROOKLYN, New York. If you’re getting divorced in Brooklyn, it is important to consider how you’ll file for divorce. For example, if there was domestic violence in your marriage, you may want to consider using the integrated domestic violence court systems. The Elliot Green Law Offices are integrated domestic violence lawyers in Brooklyn, New York who can help you navigate the system. However, one of the issues divorcing individuals might face is that sometimes even victims aren’t always clear on what defines domestic violence. As you consider filing for divorce, it is important to take the time to consider the definition of consent.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, consent is defined as ongoing affirmation that both parties want to mutually take part in a sexual encounter. Individuals can be raped within the confines of marriage and being married doesn’t automatically give your partner a “free pass” to have sex with you whenever he or she wants. Consent isn’t automatically given based on relationship status, or just because a person has given consent in the past. Individuals and couples should look for consent with each new sexual encounter. Additionally, if you feel like you are being manipulated or pressured to do something you don’t want to do, this is also not consent. You don’t owe your partner anything. You have the right to say no.
Role play is also subject to rules of consent. As the New York Times recently reported, there is a very clear difference between B.D.S.M. and abuse. When it comes to partners who role play, careful communication, safe words, and even the use of checklists are important to ensure that both parties are very clear on what is and isn’t acceptable. Individuals who role play frequently set clear boundaries and talk to one another about what will happen before anything takes place. This is very different from a partner hitting you when you do not want to be hit or a partner tying another person up against his or her will. If you feel that you have been abused in your relationship, it is important to seek help. Finally, just because you consented to role play on one occasion, doesn’t mean you have consented to abuse or to role playing on other occasions. If you say no, your wishes should be honored.
Finally, under the law, there are certain actions that cannot be consented to no matter what. Serious bodily injury, cutting, or burning can be prosecuted in a court of law.
If you believe you have been abused, seek help. If you are in an abusive relationship or marriage, you have rights. The Elliot Green Law Offices are divorce lawyers in Brooklyn, New York who can help you navigate the complexities of the law. If you’ve been married to an abusive partner, your first priority will be to protect your children and your finances. The integrated domestic violence courts allow you to pursue divorce, child custody matters, and domestic violence protection orders in one place.
Elliot Green Law Offices
32 Court Street, Suite 404
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-260-8668
Phone: 718-689-0282
How Fear of Deportation Leads to Underreported Domestic Violence
BROOKLYN, New York. According to Mic, only 20% of all rapes, only 24% of acts of physical violence, and only 50% of stalking get reported to the police. In fact, on average, a woman will be assaulted 35 times before she first reports the crime. This gives an assaulter a great deal of time to escalate in violence. There are many reasons why women don’t report domestic violence. Fear, the cycle of abuse, manipulation, and control all play a role. However, according to CNBC, some women are not reporting domestic violence because they fear deportation.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union, not only are immigrants failing to report these crimes, but some are choosing not to help police when they witness these crimes. Mistrust of police and fear of deportation could be leading to communities that are less safe. To make matters worse, some immigrants are fearful about testifying in court after hearing about court raids and ICE’s presence in courts.
82 percent of prosecutors claim that domestic violence charges have become harder to prosecute due to mistrust among the immigrant community. These numbers also affect prosecutors seeking justice for sexual assault victims and child abuse victims. For women in abusive relationships, having witnesses testify about the abuse they have endured can help them get a divorce settlement that protects their children and their assets. Women in immigrant communities may find it tougher to find support from their neighbors and relatives if these same neighbors and relatives fear immigration authorities.
In California, police are refusing to ask individuals about their immigration status. The Trump administration is suing, but police claim that by bringing in the question of status, police can damage their relationship with the community.
Immigrants in 2017 and 2018 have been less likely to make police reports, and many immigrants are fearful of going to court. Unfortunately, domestic violence is the kind of crime that can escalate over time. An unreported crime today can become tomorrow’s murder. As many as 13 women in Denver admitted that they would not pursue domestic violence charges after learning about ICE’s courthouse arrests.
While ICE claims to take into account a person’s reasons for being in court, there simply is no guarantee that a person will protected in today’s legal climate.
If you are considering getting divorced or want to make a report of domestic violence and are concerned about how your report might impact your immigration status, consider speaking to a qualified domestic violence lawyer in Brooklyn, New York like the Elliot Green Law Offices. New York offers a range of resources for domestic violence victims and their families. If you are an immigrant, the process of reporting a crime or going to court can be frightening, but a qualified lawyer can help you understand what rights and protections you might have under the law. Visit our firm at https://elliotgreenlaw.com/ to learn more. Seek help today.
Elliot Green Law Offices
32 Court Street, Suite 404
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-260-8668
Phone: 718-689-0282
