In recognition of Domestic Violence Month (October), the Legal Aid Society discusses how to battle the nightmare faced by one in four spouses
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Sept. 27, 2011 – The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence estimates that 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year and one in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime.

Domestic violence destroys families, disrupts communities and deeply affects the children involved. Studies show that the most effective way to end the cycle of abuse is to help victims become independent of their abusers. However, low-income victims often remain in abusive marriages or relationships because they can’t afford the legal assistance needed to get a divorce and/or order of protection.

That’s where the Legal Aid Society steps in. In 2010, the Legal Aid Society handled 1,747 cases of domestic violence and helped 1,473 individuals seek and enforce their legal...