Domestic Abuse
Doing something about domestic abuse can be frightening. That’s why our dedicated team of Domestic Abuse Lawyers will support you and your children to get the protection you need from your partner, former partner or a family member. We listen, advise and give you a voice to help free you from the abuse you’re facing.
For sensitive, sympathetic and confidential legal support, get in touch with Cartwright King today.
How Cartwright King Can Help With Domestic Abuse Issues
Our priority is your protection. That’s why Cartwright King will help you come up with a plan of action to escape domestic violence. Our professional Domestic Abuse Solicitors will do everything they can to ensure your case is properly presented, securing the right outcome to keep you out of harm’s way. We can help with:
Our expert solicitors understand that cases of domestic abuse need to be dealt with sensitively and urgently. The safety of both you and your children is always our main priority.
The Protective Measures We Can Enforce
We can help you apply for one or both of the following, as well as help with your divorce or separation agreements:
- A non-molestation order:this will prevent the abusive person from using violent or threatening behaviour toward you, attending your property or place of work, sending you abusing messages, contacting you via telephone or on any social media platforms, or encouraging anybody else to contact you.
- An occupation order:this will prevent them from entering your home or leaving the family home if you live together.
If the individual breaches the terms of their court order, they could face several years imprisonment, however, this is very rare. We can also arrange protection for your children and help you get a divorce from your abusive partner.
Not wanting to deal with your partner directly in this situation is perfectly understandable. If this is the case, we can manage any separation issues on your behalf.
Recognising the Signs of Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse isn’t always physical. Below are some common examples of abusive behaviour which you should look out for, whether for your safety or someone else’s:
- Harassment – This includes stalking, sending unwanted texts and letters, humiliating you or violating your privacy.
- Isolation – This could be anything from pressurising or encouraging you to stay away from friends and family to banning contact with the outside world entirely. It’s also common for abusers to monitor online behaviour and text messages.
- Verbal abuse – belittling, name-calling, making accusations and excessive shouting are all examples of verbally abusive behaviour.
- Threats – this could include acting in an intimidating way, threatening violence towards you or your family members or destroying your belongings.
- Controlling behaviour – controlling your access to money, clothing or even food would classify as abuse. Controlling behaviour is one of the first signs of an abusive relationship, and it tends to get a lot worse over time.
- Sexual violence – this may include using force towards the victim, degrading them or making sexual and violent threats.
- Emotional abuse – making you feel bad for putting yourself first, making you lose confidence in yourself.
Our Advice on Starting a Domestic Abuse Case
We strongly recommend that you take the following steps:
- Report any incidents of abuse to the police immediately.
- If you are injured, seek medical advice as soon as possible and keep a copy of your GP’s report. If possible, we also recommend that you take photographs of any injuries to build evidence against the abuser.
- Save proof of any abusive or threatening communication such as text messages, emails or letters.
- Keep all of this information in a personal diary, noting specific times and dates wherever you can.
It is crucial that you gather enough evidence for your domestic abuse solicitors to use, as this will then improve your chances of being granted a protection order.
What is the Domestic Abuse Act 2021
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021, provides pivotal legislation updates to the legal framework regarding domestic abuse. The Act introduces greater protections for victims of abuse and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. The act provided a legal definition of domestic abuse.
The Act expands the definition of domestic abuse, encompassing physical, emotional and economic abuse. The expansion to the definition acknowledges the varied ways in which individuals can be harmed within a domestic setting. Consequently, the act provides a more inclusive definition to address the complexities of domestic abuse.
Furthermore, the Act introduces Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) to provide more powers to safeguard victims by disrupting patterns of abuse. DAPOs allow the courts powers to impose a range of protective measures on perpetrators. These protective measures include:
• prohibiting contact with the victim
• requiring the perpetrator to attend rehabilitation programs.
The Act also addresses gaps in the legal system by prohibiting the cross-examination of victims by their abusers in family courts. This provision aims to create a more supportive and secure environment for victims to share their experiences without fear of intimidation.
This legislation expands the legal definitions of domestic abuse, introduces enhanced protective measures, and priorities the well-being of children. As a result, the Act marks a significant step forward in cultivating a safer and more accountable environment for victims of domestic abuse.
In some cases you may need urgent support before getting in contact with our solicitors. If you are in immediate danger, please call 999 and ask for the police.
You can seek support additional support by calling the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Alternatively you can seek support for domestic abuse from one of the site linked:
• NSPCC – [0808 800 5000](tel:0808 800 5000)
• Support Line – 01708 765 200
• Galop, LGPT+ – [0800 999 5428](tel:0800 999 5428)
• Mankind Initiative – [01823 334 244](tel:01823 334 244)
• Women’s Aid – [Live Chat available on website](tel:Live Chat available on website)
• Refuge – [0808 2000 247](tel:0808 2000 247)
• Rights of Women – [020 7251 6577](tel:020 7251 6577)
• Financial Support Line – [0808 196 88 45](tel:0808 196 88 45)
• Surviving Economic Abuse – info@survivingeconomicabuse.org
• IDAS – [03000 110 110](tel:03000 110 110)
We offer legal aid to client’s who are victims of domestic abuse
Benefit From an Initial Telephone Conversation
The first step is always the hardest when dealing with domestic abuse. That’s why we offer a short, initial telephone call with a specialist Cartwright King Domestic Abuse Lawyer to assess your options. You’re under no pressure to instruct us, this is an opportunity to take that difficult first step.
There’s no substitute for speaking to one of our specialist Domestic Violence Solicitors to get realistic, clear advice that will help you escape abuse.
For immediate assistance, call us or email us for a short initial discussion*.
The discussion is completely informal and confidential, and is an opportunity for us to offer you a fixed fee appointment so that we can then:
- Get to know you
- Understand your situation
- Offer detailed advice
- Agree how you want to proceed
*Please be aware that the initial call is to assess your position, not to offer advice.
Why Choose Cartwright King For Domestic Abuse Cases?
Personal, pro-active and productive, three defining traits of Cartwright King’s service, which combine to ensure that you benefit from sensitive, sympathetic and practical legal advice.
We know that domestic violence can be physically and emotionally distressing for you and your family, but our Domestic Abuse Lawyers will help you take legal action to secure your safety.
Our advice is backed by experience of dealing with all manner of domestic abuse issues. You can trust this experience to help guide you through the process as there aren’t many situations we haven’t come across before when dealing with domestic violence cases.
Our Domestic Abuse Lawyers go above and beyond to give you the support you need, for added peace of mind that your case is in good hands.
We listen, we understand and we genuinely care about keeping you safe. That’s why we offer sound, honest, reliable legal advice to ensure that you’re prepared for the process and giving you a voice that’s heard.
Working with a specialist Cartwright King solicitor gives you the assurance of having access to legal counsel who will advise you at every stage of your case.
We’re committed to defending your legal rights and ensuring that you’re taken seriously and treated with dignity. When you need us most, we’ll be there to offer sound, sensible legal advice and sure guidance.
We’re a trusted, resourceful Legal 500 top tier law firm with specialist solicitors that are calm under pressure, giving you counsel that you can count on.
Legal Fees
We offer a fixed fee service for private paying individuals and legal aid services. For an idea of these legal fees, get in touch with us.