Domestic Abuse

Tragically, many people experience domestic abuse at some point in their lives, the effects of which can be incredibly traumatic. What’s most important is that victims can access the support they need fast, to regain their safety, and to protect any children who may be involved.

Our specialist Family Law Solicitors at Butcher & Barlow have a great deal of experience dealing with domestic abuse cases and are here to offer empathetic, compassionate, and practical support for those who need it. We appreciate that, for those experiencing domestic abuse, seeking help and support can be extremely challenging. Taking that difficult step means that we can help you to remove yourself from a distressing situation and work towards moving forward with your life.

Domestic abuse can sadly occur in many different forms, whether physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or a combination of these. No matter what type of abuse you are a victim of, we can help you to put the necessary legal measures in place to keep you safe, including:

Non-molestation Orders
Occupation Orders
Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution
Domestic abuse legal advice

Contact our specialist Family Law Solicitors for domestic abuse legal support

If you are unfortunately experiencing domestic abuse, our experienced Solicitors can help you to access the legal support that you need.

You can call us on 0161 764 4062 or email enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk

Domestic Abuse Legal Support

Non-Molestation Orders

A Non-Molestation order refers to a Court order put in place to safeguard an individual from being subjected to any type of violence, or molestation, including being threatened or harassed.

Such orders or used where domestic violence, harassment, or abuse cases, in connection to some type of family relationship, whether spouses or the relationship between a parent and child.

If you need to apply for this type of injunction, our Family Law Solicitors with experience in domestic abuse cases can support you to do so fast, explaining the steps in simple terms, and always taking a sensitive approach.

In emergency circumstances, we can ensure that such protections are put in place immediately, ensuring that you and your family are safe.

Occupation Orders

An Occupation Order is a Court order used to determine who is legally permitted to live in a family home, these can be used for protection in cases of harassment, violence, or domestic abuse.

Occupation Orders are intended to protect victims of domestic abuse, as well as children who may be involved. Such Orders can be used to prevent the perpetrator from living in the family home, or allocate specific conditions of their occupancy.

Where this type of injuction is required by matter of emergency, our domestic violence solicitors can take swift action, to ensure your safety, and that of any children.

Occupation Orders are used as a temporary measure of protection, covering a fixed period of time whilst longer term issues of property can be resolved.

Divorce and Civil Partnership Dissolution

Where you are facing domestic abuse in your marriage or civil partnership, our Solicitors can support you to obtain a divorce or civil partnership dissolution. Our expert team can assist you to handle all of the associated legal aspects, including reaching a financial settlement, and making arrangements for any children that you may have.

We understand that this can be a frightening time, and will ensure that you receive bespoke support to ensure that the process runs as smoothly as possible, promptly attending to any concerns that you may have.

Separation

Our Solicitors can also provide support for unmarried couples, providing assistance with legal separation, and the associated practicalities, whether finances or child arrangements matters.

We appreciate the need to address any abuse that has occurred when going through a separation, and can ensure that you access the support that you need.

Domestic Abuse Legal Advice

As well as protective orders and assistance to end your marriage or civil partnership, we can also provide general domestic abuse legal advice and guidance. For instance, we can help you to contact appropriate third party organisations that offer support for domestic abuse victims.

In cases where the behaviour of the perpetrator is not so severe that immediate action needs to be taken, we can send a warning letter to the perpetrator. Such letters are used to warn the individual to stop their actions, or risk a referral to the police, or an application to the Court.

Contact our specialist Family Law Solicitors for domestic abuse legal support

If you are unfortunately experiencing domestic abuse, our experienced Solicitors can help you to access the legal support that you need.

You can call us on 0161 764 4062 or email enquiries@butcher-barlow.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

How is domestic violence defined in the UK?

In the UK, domestic violence is defined as a form of domestic abuse which is controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour, inflicted by another party. That party is usually an intimate partner; however, family members or carers can also inflict domestic violence.

How do you report domestic abuse?

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or you know a person who is, and someone’s life is in danger, or the situation is an ongoing emergency, you will need to call 999. Where the situation is a non-emergency, you can call 101 or make a report in person at a police station.

Do I need a solicitor if the police are involved?

Even where the police are involved in your domestic abuse case it is recommended to have the support of a solicitor.

Our Solicitors can consider with you what steps, in addition to the assistance of the Police might be needed.

Can I have a Non-Molestation Order or an Occupation Order even if the police do not prosecute?

Yes, you can obtain an Occupation Order or a Non-Molestation Order even if the police decide not to prosecute in a domestic abuse case.

Both are civil court orders used to safeguard victims of domestic abuse, specifically, preventing the perpetrator from actions such as intimidating, contacting or harassing the victim, or ensuring that the perpetrator can no longer live in a property that they previously shared with the victim.

The action of prosecuting an individual for a domestic abuse related criminal offence is separate to the civil processes of obtaining court orders for protection. The police may not proceed to prosecute an accused individual due to various reasons, including insufficient evidence, however, this does not mean that a victim cannot gain protection from the civil court.

What is emotional abuse?

Emotional abuse, sometimes referred to as psychological abuse, happens where a perpetrator uses behaviours and words in attempt to gain control and power over a victim, for instance a child or partner.

Examples of emotional abuse include controlling another person’s choices and actions, emotional blackmail, gaslighting, shouting, making threats, humiliating someone, or making them feel scared or worthless.

What is the penalty for emotional abuse in the UK?

Where someone is the victim of emotional abuse, they have the option to apply for a Non-Molesation Order which prevents the perpetrator from certain actions including contacting or talking to them, making threats or harassment.

The victim also has the option to obtain an Occupational Order which can prevent the perpetrator from continuing to live in the same home as them.

If the perpetrator breaks the conditions of either order, the victim can contact the police and have the perpetrator arrested.

As well as these civil processes, there can be criminal penalties for emotional abuse in certain cases and circumstances. Under the Serious Crime Act 2015 there is an offense for controlling or coercive behaviour carried out in a family or intimate relationship. The offence covers behaviours such as isolating someone, controlling them, close surveillance, intimidation and more. Coercive control is a criminal offence for which a person can be prosecuted.