I remain calm and decide to avoid the topic. “It’s normal to have feelings. Now let’s try to have a good weekend, OK?”

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My experience:

I try to keep things light, but I can tell that my kid is anxious. That night, he wakes up crying. He tells me that he had a nightmare, and then says he doesn’t know who to believe. I want to be there for my son so badly, but my lawyer told me not to talk about his dad with him. So I try to comfort him in whatever way I can. Even if I feel like I’m doing everything I can to protect him, Justin still lives with the repercussions of his father’s abuse.

Explanation:

The burden of protecting the children in the context of post-separation intimate partner violence often falls on their mother. This might include protecting their physical and emotional safety, managing contact with their father, or navigating legal and social hurdles by herself. This often-invisible burden is added to the lasting effects of the abuse she experienced and points to a persistent form of inequality in ensuring the children’s protection.

Resources:

SOS violence conjugale

This project was funded by the Government of Quebec/Secrétariat à la condition féminine.