Domestic abuse can happen to anyone — regardless of gender, age, background, or relationship status. At Straw & Pearce, our specialist family law solicitors include a Resolution Accredited specialist in domestic abuse providing confidential, practical, and sensitive advice to help you protect yourself and your loved ones.

Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. It includes any controlling, coercive, threatening, or violent behaviour by a partner, ex-partner, or family member.

This can include:

• Physical or sexual violence
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Financial control (e.g. withholding money or preventing access to funds)
• Coercive and controlling behaviour (e.g. isolation, intimidation, monitoring)
• Harassment and stalking
• Online or digital abuse

Our domestic abuse solicitors can advise and support you in an application (where appropriate) for:

• A Non-Molestation Order which seeks to prevent an abuser from contacting or threatening you.
• An Occupation Order – which seeks to remove the abuser from your home or restrict/regulate their access to it.

These can often be applied for on an emergency basis, sometimes without the other person being notified beforehand.

Sometimes, if there has been an isolated incident without any further risk to you, it is sensible to send a warning letter to the abuser to set out your position and make them aware how any future inappropriate conduct by them will be construed and reacted to in the future.  Should they ignore that warning then this can then mean an application for a non-molestation order is the next step. 

The above services are charged at an hourly rate unless you are eligible for legal aid.

If you find yourself in such a situation it is vital you also consider the impact the domestic abuse may have on other matters, in particular, children, as domestic abuse within a relationship can often give rise to social services involvement.

We can offer advice and assistance in respect of considering the following:

• Arrangements for children (live-with and spend-time-with orders and the implications of parental responsibility)
• Safeguarding and welfare considerations
• Liaison with local authorities, police, or support agencies
• Divorce or separation proceedings
• Property and financial settlements
• Referrals to counselling and domestic abuse support services

At Straw & Pearce, your safety and privacy are our top priorities. All consultations are handled in strict confidence, and we can arrange meetings by phone, video call, or at a secure location.

However, if you are in immediate danger, please call 999 for assistance.

For confidential support, you can contact:

• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge) – 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
• Men’s Advice Line – 0808 801 0327
• Galop (LGBT+ support) – 0800 999 5428

Legal Aid for Domestic Abuse Cases

You may be entitled to Legal Aid to help cover legal costs if you are a victim of domestic abuse. Our team can assess your eligibility and assist with the application process.

To find out more about how the team at Straw & Pearce can support you if you are experience domestic abuse, get in touch with a member of our team today.