Binding Abuse

In the State of Texas, if one signs a legal document while intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, mentally handicapped, or under extreme duress, there may be grounds to have that contract declared null. However, if a woman who has suffered years of emotional and verbal abuse signs a divorce decree under the coercive hand of her abuser, why does she not have the same legal defense? 

Emotional and verbal abuse causes brainwashing, creating a sense of powerlessness and dependency.  This leads the person to use closed logic, having been forced through fear and intimidation to not question their abuser’s decisions. Abusers are master-manipulators who extort compliance. An abuser will threaten financial disaster and child removal in order to get Mom’s cooperation, while structuring their affairs so to appear to be the good guy.

According to the National Domestic Hotline website, “Domestic Violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person... behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound…”  Therefore, how can one, while under it, be held to a legally binding contract? If one is kidnapped, being kept under the watchful manipulation of the abuser, becoming brainwashed to the point of staying with their captor without restraints… does that mean they are no longer abused?  Do they deserve what happens if they are forced into a legal contract while enslaved? Are they bound by it?  Lawmakers, explain the difference between that person and a woman who lives 24/7 being belittled, controlled, embarrassed, manipulated, deceived, and overpowered emotionally, physically, financially and sexually?  Such is now the case in the great State of Texas.