The Impact of Domestic Violence on the Divorce Process With Guest Sara Tennen

TDC007 Show Notes

The Impact of Domestic Violence on the Divorce Process With Guest Sara Tennen

October is domestic violence awareness month. In honor of that on today's episode, we'll be discussing the impact of domestic violence on the divorce process. Did you know, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States? 

One in three women and one in four men have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner within their lives. On a typical day more than 20,000 phone calls are placed to domestic violence hotlines. Women between the ages of 18 and 24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner. Domestic victimization is correlated with a higher rate of depression and suicidal behavior. 

This is why today's guest is Sara Tennen. Sara is the legal director of the DC Volunteer Lawyers Project commonly known as DCVLP. She oversees the domestic violence and child advocacy program. She also leads the volunteer training and recruitment efforts. 

She's a trained mediator and forensics interviewer who earned a law degree and Masters in social work from Case Western Reserve University. She also has a bachelors in psychology and women's studies from the University of Rochester. She is also a prosecutor and highly qualified to talk about today’s topic. 

You can find Sara here:

DC Volunteer Lawyers Project

Show Notes:

[02:41] This is the 10th year of DCVLP providing high-quality pro bono legal services to domestic violence victims.

[03:12] They focus on representing domestic violence survivors in obtaining protection orders and ongoing custody and divorce litigation.

[03:32] Their lawyers also serve as court appointed guardians for at risk children.

[04:12] Sara has been practicing law for 15 years. She also has a degree in social work, and she feels her experience as a trained mediator is critical.

[05:21] Sara was one of Tracey's first DCVLP supervisors. She was a wonderful example and a delight to work with.

[06:11] Domestic violence has many different faces. The definition is violent or aggressive behavior that occurs between two people who have an intimate partner relationship.

[06:59] The violence transcends all races and genders and can be physical, emotional, or sexual.

[07:32] There is frequently an element of control with abusers. This can include isolation or controlling where the victim goes or how they spend money.

[08:20] Abusers can be master manipulators. They can appear incredibly nice and respectful.

[09:15] They can appear wonderful until they get behind closed doors.

[10:25] The cycle of domestic violence. On average it takes seven attempts before the victim finally leaves the abuser. This is because there is an incident, apologies, calmness, then another incident. There can also be issues with finding a place to live or religious or cultural factors. 

[11:42] Isolation by abusers has long-term implications.

[13:25] Boys who grow up witnessing domestic violence are twice as likely to be abusers when they are adults. Girls in the same situation are twice as likely to be abused.

[14:16] Victims are male and female. Relationships are hetero sexual or same sex relationships or transgendered. 

[15:31] For men, there is a level of embarrassment from being the victim.

[16:18] A restraining order can give immediate relief. Individuals can file for divorce and custody of children.

[18:24] After an incident occurs, the victim can go to the courthouse and file paperwork for a p