How do I stop this abuse from happening?
That is a better question than thinking, “Oh, the person that hit me just lost his/her temper. I’ll be quieter and it won’t happen again.”
People in a divorce or a paternity case often have been abused by the other party, or they are abused or threatened with abuse by friends or family members of the other party. Usually, it is a situation where one or both people are angry, upset, and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The best way to resolve this problem is by separation of the warring parties. You file a Petition for Protection Against Domestic Violence.