Choosing Adoption as a Domestic Violence Survivor
By Shamani Salahuddin
Domestic abuse accounts for over 15% of all violent crimes today. In Nevada, 43.8% of women experience domestic violence. No birth parent, let alone a pregnant woman, should suffer at the hands of an abusive partner.
In a home, the abuser isn’t only harming those they are violent against but also those who witness the violence. One in 15 children is exposed to intimate partner violence each year. Children who witness domestic violence are at high risk for PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Birth mothers enduring abuse may choose adoption because they want to protect their babies from the pain they have experienced.
If you are a domestic violence survivor facing an unplanned pregnancy in Nevada, Adoption Choices of Nevada is for you. Our local adoption agencies take domestic violence seriously, and we have adoption counselors and services to support you and your baby.
What Do I Do If the Birth Father is Abusive or Violent?
Adoption is a real choice if the birth father is abusive or violent, and it is your choice. By choosing adoption in Nevada, your child will be placed with a safe, loving family where they can grow. Once you contact Adoption Choices, you can begin the adoption process and create an adoption plan. Your adoption plan is unique to you, and we are always available to help.
You will meet with an adoption counselor when working on your adoption plan. You will also start looking at potential adoptive families. Depending on the type of adoption you choose–open, closed, or semi-open–you will get to meet the adoptive family. Adoption Choices of Nevada provides several adoption services that are part of your adoption plan. Some adoption opportunities include financial aid, medical care, and housing.
Nevada adoption law permits appropriate and reasonable living expenses during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. As a victim of domestic abuse, we want you to feel safe and secure in living your situation. Your adoption counselor will help you determine the help you need.
This will likely be your first time going through the adoption process, and we understand it can be scary. There are a lot of emotions that you may be processing, along with other things that you still need to sort out. However, Adoption Choices of Nevada presents a step-by-step process and how to begin.
Do I Need the Birth Father’s Consent to Pursue Adoption?
When placing a baby for adoption in Nevada, the birth father must consent to the adoption of the child. However, there is an exception. If the birth father is violent, the court can find him unfit and strip him of parental rights. If the birth father abuses drugs or alcohol, he can also be found incapable of caring for a child. He is also incapable if he fails to provide basic care or has a history of criminal charges proving him unfit.
In your situation, it can be challenging to begin adoption in Reno. It may also be hard to start the adoption process without the support of your partner. At Adoption Choices of Nevada, we support you and give you anything needed to make this transition as smooth as possible.
Who Do I Contact for Support?
Our Reno adoption agency is here for any questions and concerns you may have about the adoption process and other resources. Adoption is an excellent option if you feel your home is unstable for a child. Adoption can be a complex process to go through, but in the end, you are doing what’s best for your child. And it is your choice. Adoption Choices of Nevada provides you with the information to be as confident in your choice as possible. If you are in an unstable or abusive environment, contact any of the following resources:
- Nevada Domestic Violence Resource Center – Reno: 775-329-4150
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
The Nevada Domestic Resource Center has free, confidential programs for women, men, and children survivors of domestic violence. Available programs include a 24-hour emergency hotline, support groups, and an emergency shelter.
You do not have to be in a “perfect” situation to place your baby for adoption. At Adoption Choices, we understand that every birth mother is different, and we provide resources to reflect that.
Contact Adoption Choices of Nevada today if you are a woman considering adoption and experiencing domestic abuse.
Sources:
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Statistics
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence – Nevada Statistics