The U. S. legal system often mirrors the power struggles seen in abusive relationships. This is especially true for mothers trying to protect themselves and their children. Many studies overlook how legal protection orders can leave these mothers even more exposed to harm. Interviews with mothers who have survived abuse highlight three key ways abusers use the legal system and their children to keep control: dragging out legal battles, ongoing harassment, and dodging parental duties.

First, abusers often use the legal system against the mothers. They drag out court cases, making it hard for mothers to move on. This is known as litigation abuse. It's a sneaky way to keep mothers tied up in court, unable to escape the abuse.

Second, even with legal protection, abusers find ways to keep harassing and controlling their victims. They use the system to keep a grip on the mothers' lives. This ongoing coercive control is a big problem that the law often misses.

Third, abusers often try to avoid their parental responsibilities. They might skip visits or payments, causing more stress for the mothers. This deliberate sabotage makes it even harder for mothers to provide a stable life for their kids.

These tactics show how abusers use the legal system to their advantage. They exploit gaps in the law to keep hurting the mothers and their children. To fix this, the legal system needs to step up. Early support programs for families, better laws against coercive control, and more training for judges could make a big difference.

The legal system should be a place of safety, not a battlefield. But for many mothers, it's just another arena where they have to fight for their lives and their children's. It's time to change that. The system needs to protect, not exploit. It needs to support, not sabotage. It's a tough fight, but it's one that needs to be won.

The Legal Battlefield: How Mothers Fight for Safety

Actions