St. Paul, MN family law attorney Thomas Tuft explains how he can assist someone who is the victim of domestic violence. He remarks that the first priority with clients in these situations is to listen carefully, understand what they want, and identify their goals. From there, he focuses on ensuring they can leave the relationship safely. Sometimes that involves helping them enter a shelter, relocate out of state, or obtain an order for protection. In some cases, though, clients feel that those steps alone won’t make them safe enough, so other strategies—such as creating distance and a secure environment—are needed while working toward resolving the divorce.

He recalls how, in the past, it was often assumed that domestic abuse victims were not in a position to participate in mediation. However, he notes that taking that option away removes a potentially effective tool for resolution and diminishes the client’s voice. In his approach, he and his team work closely with clients, coaching them to ensure they can confidently express their positions. When safety is a concern, mediation can be conducted in separate rooms, which often provides protection while still allowing the case to be resolved outside of court. He stresses that requiring a domestic abuse victim to face their abuser on the witness stand is rarely the right place to achieve resolution.

Ultimately, he emphasizes that the key is to listen to the client, identify their goals, and chart the safest and most effective path to achieve them.