There are 4 truths that every victim of domestic abuse has to keep in mind: your instincts and feelings are always right; you are never alone even though it may appear that way; the violence you've experienced is in no way your fault; and, help is and will always be available. With the growing cases of domestic violence, more and more types of help and assistance are being established to immediately cater to the needs of victims—including familial, social, and legal.

The most important step for a victim to take is to reach out to someone, preferably someone from the family or a close confidant. But in some special cases, even a random neighbor or a co-worker can make a lot of difference in getting the much-needed help. Other than people nearby, there is also the National Domestic Violence Hotline or a local domestic violence organization that victims or outsiders suspecting domestic violence can use to address possible safety plans and even provide immediate assistance to those in need. For victims who need a shelter to stay in, these groups can also assist in directing them to shelters that offer basic needs as well as protection.

Upon seeking both social and legal assistance, it is important to identify under which category of domestic violence a certain act falls under. There can be 5 manifestations of the abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological. There are also varying degrees of severity and corresponding specified legal actions that can be taken against the abuser. Minor cases that include—but are not limited to—verbal abuse, monetary and career issues, and intimidation, do not constitute any criminal violence and would only require certain precautionary measures in its resolution and dealings. However, such minor acts of abuse shouldn't be taken for granted for it may eventually lead into criminal behaviors that would necessitate the involvement of a criminal lawyer.

In some minor cases, a court-issued restraining order is enough protection for the victim and is the most common type of legal action taken towards abusers. This is especially important if the abuser has stalking tendencies. And while this may not exactly stop them from harassing or attacking you wherever the victim is, it automatically merits arrest and further reprimand once breached. 

At such instance that the domestic violence has reached severe levels that go beyond the scope of a mere restraining order, the victim would then have to take on a criminal attorney that's well versed in that field of civil rights and criminal law. These law professionals have an in-depth knowledge of a victim's rights and all the possible legal actions to take on against the abuser. Furthermore, they provide nothing but full confidence and can even seek out proper protection, should there be a need for it. It is understandable for victims to be hesitant about acquiring a criminal lawyer to handle the proceedings due to the costs their service might entail. However, there are ways to go about it through social organizations and the Affordable Care Act, which covers screening and counseling for domestic violence for women. Insurance may also cover such expenses, but it's recommended to first discuss the details and technicalities with the company.

In any case, seeking legal help and assistance from a criminal attorney is still the best method to resolve domestic violence problems. A victim has to know their rights and be able to arm themselves with the proper knowledge of what they can do to protect not only themselves, but also other people involved, especially children—as well as have the right people on their side to defend them and keep them safe.