Divorce is one of the times that allegations of domestic violence often surface, sometimes for the first time. Occasionally, these allegations are false, but more often, they are simply unsubstantiated. Even on occasions where there is evidence of abuse, they are often thrown out of court for one reason or another. These allegations are not taken seriously, because people have gotten the idea that most women lie just to get the upper hand in divorce proceedings. This theory might wash, if it actually worked, but it doesn’t. There are countless cases of women losing their children to the very men who abused them, just because they dared to speak out against the abuse. It has gotten to the point that many lawyers actually advise against disclosing abuse even if it really happened. Why are lawyers against disclosing the very real issue of domestic violence? You may ask yourself this very question. It’s because it’s almost a sure way to lose. The courts are predisposed to throw out any allegations of abuse that come up in the divorce. Women who allege the abuse are automatically thought of as liars. They are accused of trying to alienate the children from the father, when in fact it is often exactly the opposite situation that is happening. The father is working hard to get his children to believe that he is the better parent. Chances are, that he won’t abuse them again until he has them isolated almost completely from their mother. There have been a few cases where unsubstantiated claims of abuse have led the courts to believe that it is simlply an effort to get the upper hand. The question here becomes one of, does unsubstantiated always mean false? It doesn’t. If claims of abuse are made, it should always be investigated thoroughly. If the claims are found to be completely false, then the person making those claims needs to pay the price themselves. If they are found to be true, however, they need to be taken seriously. If the evidence is inconclusive, chances are that they are true, but keep investigating until you know for sure. Not following up on these claims is an injustice to our children and not in the children’s best interest, which the courts claim to have in mind when making decisions regarding custody. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society