Male(45) - Married for 22 years, currently living in Missouri. Hitting, scratching, screaming has been off and on the last several years. Slowly getting worse and worse. We haven't slept in same bedroom for a few years. She has recently (about 2 months ago) started waking me up every 2-3 hours during the night. She'll flip on the lights, rip the covers off, scream, break things occasionally. There are two kids (ages 3 and 7) that have to hear consistent fighting.

I'd like to file for divorce, but can't continue living in current abusive environment while divorce would be underway. I do not want the children to have to continue listening to the arguing as well. She constantly badmouths me to the kids telling them what a horrible person I am.

My question is, is there anything I can do in the form of a cease and desist or something that would prevent further abuse, further sleep deprivation, further arguing while persuing a divorce legally, outside of filing police report? I have multiple videos of her breaking things, turning over furniture, physical abuse towards me. She has made several threats about killing herself, me and the children. Has pulled kitchen knives on me in the past.

Unsure as how to best proceed. Thanks for any/all feedback.