What the Movie “Michael” Reveals About Childhood Trauma and Domestic Violence

By Carolyn J. Woodruff, JD, CPA, CVA

The new film Michael has renewed public interest in one of the most influential entertainers in history. Audiences will undoubtedly leave theaters talking about the music, the performances, and the controversies that surrounded Michael Jackson’s life. As an experienced family lawyer in the Triad, Greensboro, and Guilford County, I was inspired by the movie to write this blog about domestic violence.

Yet there is another story woven throughout the film—one that deserves just as much attention.

It is the story of childhood trauma. The person who attended the movie with me said: “It was not domestic abuse back then.” I said: “Yes, it was always domestic abuse, but society was just not as aware as now. Sure, there were no 50B protective orders, but…”

Whether every scene reflects historical fact is less important than the broader truth the film illustrates: children who grow up in homes marked by fear, intimidation, or abuse often carry those experiences with them into adulthood. Childhood does not end when a person turns eighteen. The emotional effects of trauma can influence relationships, parenting, careers, and even the way individuals respond to conflict decades later.

As family law attorneys, we often meet clients during one of the most difficult periods of their lives. Divorce, custody disputes, and family conflict can expose emotional wounds that have existed for years. Many clients describe growing up in households where fear became normal, where anger dictated the atmosphere of the home, or where control replaced healthy communication.

Domestic violence is often misunderstood. Many people assume it refers only to physical assault. In reality, abusive relationships frequently involve a pattern of intimidation, threats, manipulation, isolation, or controlling behavior long before physical violence occurs. Survivors often describe constantly “walking on eggshells,” changing their behavior to avoid conflict, and living with a persistent sense of anxiety.

Children are especially vulnerable to these environments. Even when they are not the direct target of abuse, they witness the tension, hear the arguments, and absorb the fear. Those experiences can shape how they understand trust, conflict, and healthy relationships. Research has consistently shown that children exposed to domestic violence face higher risks of anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties, and future unhealthy relationships.

One of the important reminders offered by Michael is that abuse has no economic, educational, or social boundaries. It affects families from every background. Success, wealth, and public recognition cannot erase the lasting effects of childhood trauma, nor do they prevent abuse from occurring behind closed doors.

While every family experiences conflict from time to time, there is an important distinction between an unhappy relationship and one involving domestic violence. Healthy relationships may involve disagreement; abusive relationships involve one person using fear, intimidation, or violence to gain power and control over another.

For individuals experiencing domestic violence in North Carolina, the law provides meaningful protection.

Under Chapter 50B of the North Carolina General Statutes, individuals who have a qualifying personal relationship with the alleged abuser may seek a Domestic Violence Protective Order (50B Order) when domestic violence has occurred. Depending on the circumstances, the court may order the abusive party to have no contact with the victim, require that person to leave the residence, establish temporary custody provisions for minor children, address possession of the home, and provide other relief necessary to protect the victim and members of the household.

Every situation is unique, and not every difficult relationship meets the legal definition of domestic violence. An experienced family law attorney can help evaluate the facts, explain the available legal remedies, and develop a strategy that protects both personal safety and long-term legal interests.

At Woodruff Family Law Group, we represent clients throughout Greensboro, Guilford County, and surrounding North Carolina communities in matters involving domestic violence, divorce, child custody, and other complex family law issues. If you or someone you love is living in fear, understanding your legal rights may be the first step toward a safer future.

The laws of the time may not have protected Michael, but they can protect you and your children.

This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about domestic violence or your legal rights under North Carolina law, consult an experienced North Carolina family law attorney at Woodruff Family Law Group.