Domestic Abuse

“Police received a call for help about domestic abuse every 30 seconds during the first seven weeks of lockdown, research found. The calls included cases of kidnapping, poisoning, arson and revenge porn. Meanwhile, helplines, reported huge spikes in calls from women, children – and some men – who were trapped at home with abusers. Figures from the first month of lockdown suggested deadly attacks tripled, with 26 women killed. Charity Refuge, which runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, recorded a 77 percent increase in calls from women in June. Calls to child protection charity the NSPCC soared 49 percent between April and September. However, charities warned many cases of violence may have gone unreported because victims could not raise the alarm for fear of angering abusers.”*

The coronavirus lockdown has seen a dramatic increase in the number of clients seeking advice and protective court orders about arising from domestic abuse. Domestic abuse takes many forms. All of them are awful and whatever label is applied to whatever conduct is raised it is, essentially, a form of bullying.

The coronavirus lockdown has seen a dramatic increase in the number of clients seeking advice and protective court orders about arising from domestic abuse. Domestic abuse takes many forms. All of them are awful and whatever label is applied to whatever conduct is raised it is, essentially, a form of bullying.

If you are being abused by your partner please do not suffer in silence. Whether the abuse is physical, psychological, sexual, emotional, financial or coercive and controlling behaviour it is a form of bullying.

No one likes a bully or thinks the bullying is acceptable. It should not be tolerated and you do not have to put up with it.

Furthermore the children of abused parents  are usually worried, frightened, confused and vulnerable. Without sufficient stability, security and protection they are exposed to substantial risk.

If you are being subjected to domestic abuse you should ask for help. We never turn away a client suffering domestic abuse. You can talk to us in confidence and we have the skills to help you and to refer you to other agencies who can also help you. You can get in touch with us by telephone (0191) 263 6200

The family team at Paul Dodds Law offer initial free advice on domestic abuse issues.  We offer free initial appointments and same day service where domestic abuse injunctions and urgent orders relating to children are needed. Legal aid is usually available for domestic abuse cases. We are here and we can help. To make an appointment call 0191 2636200 and press 2 for appointments.

Paul Dodds, Julie Hodge and Helen Locke are Resolution Accredited Specialists in Domestic Abuse cases and are members of the Law Society Children Panel.

If you are not safe dial 999 and ask for the police.

Children who witness domestic abuse suffer child abuse.

Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour violence or abuse between those aged 16 and over who are or who have been intimate partners or family members.  It includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse.  In every case it involves bullying.  We offer practical advice and help to apply for protective court orders.

Controlling Behaviour

Controlling behaviour is a range of acts performed by the abuser and designed to make the victim subordinate and all dependent. These acts include, but are not limited to, isolating the victim from sources of support, exploiting the victim’s resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving the victim of the means needed for independent resistance and escape and regulating the victims every day behaviour.

Coercive Behaviour

Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used by the abuser to harm punish or frighten their victim.

Physical Abuse and Sexual Abuse

Physical abuse is the use of physical force against someone in a way that injuries or endangers that person.  Sexual abuse is a form of physical abuse.  Forced sex, even by a spouse or intimate partner with whom you also have consensual sex, is an act of aggression and violence.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Just because you’re not battered and bruised doesn’t mean you’re not being abused.  Emotional abuse is often minimised or overlooked even by the person being abused.  It includes verbal abuse, such as shouting, name-calling, blaming and shaming, isolation, intimidation and controlling behaviour.

There is no honour in threatening or harming vulnerable people with violence.  There is nothing good or justifiable about so-called honour-based violence.

We succeed because we take our clients’ cases very personally.  You can count on us for help and support when you really need it

*source: Daily Mail – 20/10/20