Abuse – the Law can help
Chris Brown was arrested for the attack on Rihanna and will be sentenced later this month, having pleaded guilty to assault charges. Rihanna was left with injuries described by the police as “horrific”, including bite marks and painful bruises on the face.
Although her celebrity status has afforded her the best support and protection available, Rihanna did not hesitate to name her abuser. There are thousands of people, mostly women, suffering in fear and silence because they feel trapped in abusive relationships and don’t know how to access help.
Abuse is not necessarily physical — it can be psychological, sexual or even financial — and abusers often use violence against their children as well as their partners. The first port of call for an abuse victim is the police. Abusers can be arrested for their crimes and an arrest will trigger a variety of support services being offered to victims.
A Family Law solicitor can help. Under the 1996 Family Law Act it is possible to apply to the Court for a Non-Molestation Order as protection from further violence and abuse, including pestering and harassment.
The Court can also grant an Occupation Order to safeguard a victim’s right to stay in their home. The Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act of 2004 now makes the breach of a Non-Molestation Order a criminal offence and recognises same sex couples as well as heterosexual ones.
The safety of children is given the utmost regard in Law, and therefore the Court has the power to act quickly in emergencies to ensure that the risk of further harm towards any child is minimised in an abuse situation.
Family Law solicitors are compassionate and understanding, as well as being experts in their field. They will always talk things through before taking any action, outlining the options clearly so that abuse victims can see there is a way out. They are dedicated to putting a stop to abuse and take a practical approach to ensure their clients are in the best possible position to start building a future after an abusive relationship.
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau and local women’s charities keep an up-to-date list of solicitors with the expertise to assist victims of abuse. There is also a facility to search for a solicitor on the Law Society’s website. People whose income is limited may be eligible to get help with their legal costs through the Legal Aid system, so lack of money should not be a barrier to breaking the cycle of abuse.
