Legal Question in Family Law in Wyoming

Re: Kept Captive By Husband

I do not know Wyoming law and I am not licensed to practice in Wyoming. Anything I say here

applies only to Montana. However, I have represented dozens of clients in their Order of

Protection hearings, so I will draw on that experience and my undergraduate study.

Social control and isolation (you must account for your time) and financial control and

�isolation� (you have to ask for money) seems to be part of your relationship. What you describe

is classic. Most clients described the same behavior in the beginning of their relationships; abuse

escalated to physical assault.

This is working for your husband. Why would he want to stop?

If you have children, you and your husband are modeling acceptable behavior -- how to be a

husband, how to be a wife. Model self-respect. Model respect for your children. Model courage.

What you can do:

- First, maintain your current level of safety.

- Delete e-mails you sent or received that will cause trouble. Delete the �history� that shows

what sites you visited (like this one).

- Picture the kind of life you want to live. Learn what steps you need to take to get there. It can be

a daunting path. Break each step down into small steps you know you can do, like making a

phone call.

- Call your YWCA hotline or look in the blue pages for Domestic Abuse. Describe briefly, as you

did here, what is going on in your relationship. Ask especially about a shelter or safe house in

the area. Ask about a temporary restraining order or an order of protection.

- Find an attorney to help you. The local YWCA might have a list of attorneys who represent

their clients. Call your local legal services office. Call your state bar association lawyer referral

service. Call your state and county bar associations for some pro bono (no cost) help.