Domestic violence solicitors

New enquiries: 0800 118 1500

Nobody wants to talk about domestic violence. Unfortunately, this includes victims. When your home is no longer safe and you live in fear, it can be hard to know where to turn, or what to do. At Talbots Law, our priority is your safety. When clients are brave enough to come to our domestic violence solicitors for help, we stop at nothing to ensure the suffering is put to a stop.

Domestic abuse comes in many forms. It may start small, but progressively get worse over time. Those who are abusive towards family members usually have issues of their own, and when they aren’t dealt with, those close to them suffer the most. If you are a victim of abuse, our domestic violence solicitors can help you to apply to the Court for an injunction. We know it’s hard to speak up, but we believe it’s time to end the silence on domestic abuse.

From our experience, we know that these situations can be complex and delicate. Where family is concerned, strong emotions are often present. Over the years, we’ve come to realise that the best approach is to be sensitive but direct. Our domestic violence solicitors are well versed on relationships, especially those between family members. However, our main concern is your safety, and where immediate action is necessary, we won’t be afraid to act.

Our Personal Injury Team

Why choose Talbots’ domestic violence solicitors?

From the moment you contact Talbots Law regarding your situation, we start finding a way to bring it to an end. As well as placing legal protection over you and your family, we will be there every step of the way for advice, support and guidance. That’s because when you place you trust in Talbots Law, we treat you as family, ensuring that no harm comes to you and your health and safety protected. Everything you discuss with us will always be confidential, and you can trust us to put your safety first at all times. No one should have to suffer in silence, and with a specialist domestic violence lawyer by your side; you can start to get your life back on track.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a blanket term, covering any form of abuse that a person has suffered at the hands of a member of family or someone close. It knows no gender, or age. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence: from elderly citizens to young children.

In certain cases, people who suffer through domestic abuse have been doing so for so long that they simply accept the situation, and allow it to continue.

The abuse could be physical. It could be psychological. Often, it’s both. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, it’s vital you speak to a specialist domestic violence solicitor as soon as possible.

What can the Courts do?

The Courts will protect you and your family by granting an injunction order against the perpetrator.

If the Courts grant a Non-Molestation order, this will protect you from harassment, violence or violent behaviour and threats. The courts will attach ‘powers of arrest’, which means if the terms of the order aren’t kept, the perpetrator will be arrested.

If the Courts grant an Occupation order, the perpetrator will be banned from the family home and restricted from going within a certain distance of it. By breaching these terms, the perpetrator is guilty of contempt to the Court, and the police can therefore place them under arrest and the perpetrator will face up to 5 years imprisonment.

With an injunction order in place, you can start to become comfortable once more in your home environment, a place that should always be a safe zone.

Domestic Abuse During Lockdown

The Government has imposed a necessary lockdown to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease which has now become a global pandemic.  For some families, this means working from home, home-schooling their children but in a loving environment.  Not all people are that fortunate, there are families where domestic abuse occurs …

Domestic violence cases have increased threefold in China during February in the midst of their coronavirus outbreak, compared to February last year.

Paris has also reported a very high increase in domestic violence during this global pandemic.

It goes without saying that domestic abuse will also increase significantly here in the UK during this period of lockdown.  Given that we are being ordered to stay in our homes for at least three weeks, this will, of course, cause tensions to run high

What is domestic abuse?

Many people think of it as violence with slapping and punching, kicking their victim, pinning them down and effectively trapping them.  You could be experiencing domestic abuse without even knowing it.

Belittling Behaviour

Domestic abuse can include belittling behaviour.  This can often be deliberate acts to humiliate and ridicule the victim, constantly putting the victim down and also, making the victim blame themselves for the perpetrator’s behaviour towards them.

Violence or Threats

Domestic abuse can include violence or threats.  This can include the perpetrator having an extremely bad temper and making the victim fearful.  Threatening to hurt or kill the victim are examples of this behaviour.  Threats to take the victim’s children away from them and them never being able to see them again.  If the victim wants to leave or indicates that they want to leave, making threats to commit suicide if the victim should leave.

Sexual Abuse

A victim can be forced to have sex.  This relates to married and unmarried persons. Even if you are married, this is known as marital rape.   It is an act of aggression and domestic violence.

Coercive and Controlling Behaviour

Coercive and controlling behaviour can include acts of jealousy and possessiveness, isolating the victim from their friends and family; controlling what you do and where you go and constantly checking up on the victim, when they are at work or out with friends.

Financial Abuse

Limiting the victim’s access to money.  This is financial abuse.  Examples of this could be stealing money from the victim, insisting benefits are dealt with in the perpetrator’s name and the victim being unable to access those benefits.  A victim could be prevented from working.  Limiting the victim’s access to finances.  Having to ask for money, these are all examples of financial abuse.

Are you affected?

Some people may be in an abusive relationship – and not realise it – and abusers will be given the power to typically manipulate any situation to their advantage.  Many abused women and children have now lost their “escape” such as going to work or school.

For some, home is not a haven from violence and abuse.

Government Advice

Government advice is that if you do find yourself in an abusive relationship you should leave your home to seek solace at a Women’s Refuge.  The Police are aware that Domestic Abuse cases will be on the rise and the force will continue to arrest perpetrators.

 Our Services

During this unprecedented crisis, here at Talbots our Family Law Department can assist and advise anybody who may be experiencing abuse.  Our Team is also able to put you in touch with support and advise you on your position legally; we are able to obtain the relevant injunctions to protect you and your children from further harm..  We can assist in assessing whether you would be eligible for Legal Aid and if not, we would be able to discuss our fees with you.  Our service continues even in this time of crisis.

Although our offices are closed, our Family team are all working remotely and you can contact them by phoning 0800 118 1500 or email Karen Gray

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