Marriage can be an incredible experience for many couples who find an individual who truly cares for them. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case; and with the rates of domestic abuse increasing, this is becoming a serious problem in marriages. In many cases, the spouse who is on the receiving end of the abuse will wait too long before consulting divorce lawyers for family law advice.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted or beaten in the United States. Far too often are these the result of a disagreement with a spouse.

It’s estimated that one in every four women will be victims of severe violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. An even more surprising statistic for many is that one in seven men will end up as a victim of some type of severe violence by an intimate partner. While any instance of violence in a couple is terrible, sometimes these situations escalate so far, that they eventually lead to murder.

Whether it be out of fear or some misguided devotion, many people ignore the need for family law legal advice from divorce lawyers, in favor of quietly dealing with the consequences. What many of them aren’t aware of is where these situations can lead. Back in 2011, of the 1,509 women murdered by men, 926 were found to be killed by their intimate partner; 264 of those were killed during an argument.

It’s hard for many couples to face the fact that their relationships have become so unhealthy that they’re reduced to physical violence. Before these situations become overtly dangerous, it’s important to consult divorce lawyers with family law questions to decide what the best course of action is to feel safe once again.