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 Everyone has the right to live without fear for their safety. No one has the right to cause you harm or threaten you. You have the right to complain to the police, as such behaviour may constitute a criminal offence.
Domestic abuse occurs across society. Although government figures show that domestic abuse consists mainly of violence by men against women, it is not restricted to these circumstances. Men too are abused by their partners and children can also be caught up in domestic violence.
Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (be it physical or emotional) between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
Although domestic violence is chronically under reported, research estimates it:
- accounts for 16% of all violent crime
- will affect 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men in their lifetime
- 77% of victims of domestic violence are women
- has more repeat victims than any other crime (on average there will have been 35 assaults before a victim calls the police)
- on average, two women are killed every week by a current or former male partner
- one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute
(Source: Crime in England and Wales 2006/07 report)
The BBC has a very useful website which offers information and practical advice for victims of domestic violence.
Using a Solicitor in a Case of Domestic Violence
Solicitors can help you in a number of ways:
- To apply for an injunction - an injunction is a 'civil law order' which you can use to help keep you safe. It places legal restrictions on your partner to try to prevent or limit any further violence.
- For orders to do with children - applying for / or responding to, orders under the Children's Act (residence orders, contact orders, prohibited steps orders)
- Getting a divorce or a judicial (legally recognised) separation - a solicitor would deal with the proceedings and any financial settlements you need to claim.
Call Woolley & Co on 0800 3213832 to discuss your case with one of our legal experts. We do not handle legal aid or publically funded cases [legal aid]. If you think you may be entitled to legal aid you can find contact details for mediators and solicitors who handle Legal Aid cases on the Community Legal Aid website.
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