Sometimes a criminal charge is the best wake up call you can get to cease an abusive behaviour towards another person. When you realise you could be viewed as an abusive person in family court or that you may get a hefty fine, and a long term black mark against your name, perhaps people will think twice before conveniently "forgetting" the other parent of the children in your care. Breaking up is hard to do, yes, it doesnt need to mean being charged for abusing your ex. Civil behaviour costs us nothing.