What is Domestic Abuse?
Domestic abuse can include physical violence, emotional abuse, coercive control, and economic abuse. It is not limited to physical acts and can also include harmful behaviours that are used to exert control and power. Domestic abuse can happen in any relationship regardless of gender, age, or background.
How Can a Domestic Abuse Lawyer Help?
Able to provide clear legal advice and representation, a domestic abuse solicitor will be able to secure protective orders such as non-molestation orders, advise on child custody arrangements, and help you navigate complex legal processes. Your solicitor will be able to guide you through the legal framework available in cases of domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse FAQs
Courts can issue a range of protective measures to shield victims of domestic abuse. These include:
- Non-Molestation Orders: Preventing abusers from contacting or harassing you.
- Occupation Orders: Regulating who can live in the family home or excluding the abuser.
- Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs): Offering immediate, enforceable safeguards against abusive behaviour.
- Restraining Orders: Imposed after criminal proceedings to prevent further harassment or harm.
A court order preventing someone from threatening, harassing, or contacting you, ensuring your protection and peace of mind.
A DAPO provides immediate protection from abusive behaviours and can include specific prohibitions or requirements for the abuser.
Injunctions such as non-molestation orders, occupation orders, and restraining orders can protect victims from harm and harassment.
Coercive control involves patterns of behaviour that isolate, manipulate, and intimidate a victim to establish dominance and control.
This form of abuse restricts a victim’s financial independence, such as controlling money, preventing access to funds, or sabotaging employment.
Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic where an abuser causes the victim to doubt their own perceptions, memories, or sanity.
These include manipulation, lack of empathy, constant criticism, and using others to fulfil personal needs, often leading to emotional harm.
Abuse that continues after a relationship ends, often involving harassment, custody disputes, or financial control.
A form of emotional abuse where one partner withdraws communication or refuses to engage, causing distress and frustration.
These include using technology to monitor, stalk, harass, or control a victim, such as tracking devices, invasive apps, or online threats.
Why Hawkins Family Law?
We are specialist family law solicitors and are committed to providing consistently high levels of support and guidance. For compassionate and effective legal support, contact our domestic abuse solicitors today. We are here to help you reclaim your safety and independence.
Organisations for support and advice on domestic abuse
Before consulting a domestic violence or abuse solicitor, you may need more urgent support. If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 and ask for the police.
You can also seek support by calling:
The National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247
Refuge National Domestic Abuse on 0808 2000 247