EDUCATE YOURSELF
Understanding the tactics of abuse — both personal and institutional — is the first step toward fighting back. These resources explain the patterns, the systems, and the language of legal abuse and public corruption.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.
RESOURCES
KEY FACTS
1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence
Domestic violence is about power and control, not anger
Abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or sexual
Leaving an abuser is the most dangerous time for a victim
POST-SEPARATION ABUSE
Post-separation abuse occurs when an abuser continues to exert control over their victim after the relationship has ended, often through the legal system, financial manipulation, or harassment.
KEY FACTS
Abusers frequently use custody battles as a tool of continued control
False allegations are a common tactic to punish victims who leave
Legal abuse can be more devastating than physical abuse — it's state-sanctioned
Victims often face financial ruin from defending against frivolous legal actions
JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT
Judicial misconduct occurs when a judge acts in ways that violate the Code of Judicial Conduct, including bias, ex parte communications, failure to recuse, and abuse of judicial authority.
KEY FACTS
Judges are bound by a Code of Judicial Conduct that requires impartiality
Judicial misconduct can be reported to the state's Judicial Conduct Commission
Absolute judicial immunity protects judges from civil liability, making accountability difficult
Patterns of misconduct often go unchecked without public scrutiny
MULTI-FORUM ABUSE
Multi-forum abuse is a litigation tactic where an abuser files cases in multiple courts or jurisdictions simultaneously, forcing the victim to defend themselves on multiple fronts and draining their resources.
RESOURCES
KEY FACTS
Abusers may file in family court, criminal court, and civil court simultaneously
The goal is to overwhelm the victim financially and emotionally
Courts rarely communicate with each other, allowing contradictory rulings
Victims may face conflicting orders from different jurisdictions
COERCIVE CONTROL
Coercive control is a pattern of behavior that seeks to take away the victim's liberty or freedom, to strip away their sense of self. It is not just a series of events but a strategic course of conduct.
KEY FACTS
Coercive control is now recognized as a form of domestic abuse in many jurisdictions
Tactics include isolation, monitoring, financial control, and intimidation
It can continue and even escalate after separation through legal and institutional means
Recognizing coercive control is essential to understanding the full picture of abuse
SURVIVOR RESOURCES
If you are a survivor of domestic violence or legal abuse, you are not alone. There are organizations and resources available to help you navigate the system and find safety.
KEY FACTS
Document everything — keep copies of all court filings, communications, and evidence
Seek legal aid — many organizations provide free legal assistance to DV survivors
Build a support network — connect with other survivors and advocacy organizations
Your safety is the priority — create a safety plan and share it with trusted people