questions & answers

Question: My best friend is having issues with her husband. He drinks every day to the point of total intoxication. He is verbally abusive and demeaning to her. He has pushed her, head butted her and told her that he “should beat her ass”. He has maxed out her credit cards and does everything he can to financially entrap her. They have 2 children 13 and 15. She is afraid to leave the kids with him because of his drinking and because he is not dependable. My friend wants to leave but due to the financial position he continues to put her in, she cannot afford to get out. Is this considered DV? Options?

Answer: There are many resources available to individuals who are in a marital situation that may be difficult. Here are two sites dedicated to helping people who may feel they are in a situation where they feel trapped. http://www.azcadv.org/ This website will provide a person information about domestic violence. In addition, this organization provides resources for those persons wanting to leave their relationship. http://www.azcourts.gov/DomesticViolenceLaw/ The above website provides necessary legal information to begin the process to protect themselves in a bad relationship who seek to leave. A person can also seek individual legal representation through their local legal aid office. In Maricopa County an individual can turn to the Community Legal Services office. Their website is - http://clsaz.org/