This is especially true in domestic violence cases. We, as lawyers, judges, mental health professionals, clergy and other professionals, run the emergency room for society's non-medical ills. What we need to do about domestic violence, therefore, is design responses that take the responsibility for care out of the hands of the victim. She should not have to find her own services and she certainly should not have to advocate for herself in front of a judge. In other words, we need to make sure the system takes responsibility for the traumatized person as well as their family.
Family violence is a problem that pervades all of society.
It makes no distinctions based on class, immigrant status, or racial, ethnic, or socio-economic background. These factors may, however, provide some insight into a particular woman's needs. You see, it's only when these needs are met that a woman can develop the tools that will finally let her leave her abuser and the violence behind. Her success will depend on her knowing what she'll need from the legal system. She will also need to recognize the means her batterer will use to legitimize his battering as well as the tactics he may employ to maintain control of their relationship.