Being accused of domestic violence is a threatening allegation. It doesn’t just impact you in the short term; even if you’re cleared of any wrongdoing, the impact on your family, work and social life can be seen for months and years to come. For this reason, it’s important to defend yourself from allegations.
Sometimes, it’s easy for a person to say you attacked first, even though you were simply fighting in self-defense. For example, if you’re a man living at home who is attacked by your girlfriend, you should have the right to defend yourself with any necessary means. The same goes for a wife who is attacked by her husband; you should be able to defend yourself, even if it means leaving marks, breaking bones or causing other harm to your husband.
The key to a successful self-defense claim is showing that you were being threatened with force and that you used self-defense to stay out of harm’s way. For instance, if you are threatened because a boyfriend is standing in a doorway with a gun, you are under an imminent threat and should be able to attack in self-defense without legal consequences. If, on the other hand, he was simply yelling at you, an attack or show of force might not be seen as reasonable in the eyes of the law.
When you fear for your life, it’s not unexpected that you fight for it. Our website has more information on what to do if you’re facing allegations in a domestic abuse claim. With the right support, you can have your story heard while you protect your good name.
