Children are often secondary victims of domestic violence. This means children services will step in if a child is not only a direct victim of domestic violence but if he/she sees or hears abuse of a caregiver. However, instead of removing the abuser from the home children are often removed from the home for their protection. A consequence of this is that the kids often kept away from a parent who has never hurt them and is a domestic violence victim himself or herself.
Victims are sometimes blamed when perpetrators are present in the home despite their efforts to have them removed. Victims of domestic violence and children may even have conflicting orders from Family Court and child protection regarding the presence of a violent parent in the home. This is often used as evidence against them in child protection proceedings and ends with caring, abused parents losing their kids.
You deserve to have your kids with you. You need a lawyer who will work to fully investigate every detail of your situation and ensure no falsified information or evidence is used against you. Michael E. Bryant is an attorney experienced in Family Law and navigating the sometimes tricky and often confusing cases that result from children services investigations. Michael E. Bryant understands your situation and knows what it takes to defend your parental rights.