On Friday 15 February 2008, Staffordshire Women’s Aid, together with PAIRs (Preventing Abuse In Relationships) organised a performance by the “New Vic Borderlines Group” presenting a powerful and provocative insight in to Domestic Violence. Their fundamental message being Domestic Violence is unacceptable and together we can help eradicate Domestic Violence in the future.


The Facts…

 Globally, Domestic Violence is the main cause of female deaths aged between 19 and 44 years.

 In England 1 in 4 women will and do experience Domestic Violence in their lifetime.

 The Police receive a call every minute for assistance at Domestic Violence incidents.

 Latest research suggests that nearly 3 women are killed every week in the UK.


What are the signs of domestic violence?

 Destructive criticism and verbal abuse: shouting/mocking/accusing/name calling/verbally threatening

 Pressure tactics: sulking, threatening to withhold money, disconnect the telephone, take the car away, commit suicide, take the children away, report you to welfare agencies unless you comply with their demands regarding bringing up the children, lying to your friends and family about you, telling you that you have no choice in any decisions.

 Disrespect: persistently putting you down in front of other people, not listening or responding when you talk, interrupting your telephone calls, taking money from your purse without asking, refusing to help with childcare or housework.

 Breaking trust: lying to you, withholding information from you, being jealous, having other relationships, breaking promises and shared agreements.

 Isolation: monitoring or blocking your telephone calls, telling you where you can and cannot go, preventing you from seeing friends and relatives.

 Harassment: following you, checking up on you, opening your mail, repeatedly checking to see who has telephoned you, embarrassing you in public.

 Threats: making angry gestures, using physical size to intimidate, shouting you down, destroying your possessions, breaking things, punching walls, wielding a knife or a gun, threatening to kill or harm you and the children.

 Sexual violence: using force, threats or intimidation to make you perform sexual acts, having sex with you when you don't want to have sex, any degrading treatment based on your sexual orientation.

 Physical violence: punching, slapping, hitting, biting, pinching, kicking, pulling hair out, pushing, shoving, burning, strangling.

 Denial: saying the abuse doesn't happen, saying you caused the abusive behaviour, being publicly gentle and patient, crying and begging for forgiveness, saying it will never happen again.

Is it a crime?

Domestic violence includes a number of different behaviours and consequences (as listed above), so there is no single criminal offence of 'domestic violence'. Instead, there are several categories within the law that constitute a criminal offence that may also be defined as domestic violence.

Not all forms of domestic violence are illegal, for example some forms of emotional abuse are not defined as crimes. However, these types of violence can also have a serious and lasting impact on a women or child's sense of well-being and autonomy.

“Criminal offences include: assault, threat to kill, wounding, attempting to choke, harassment, putting people in fear of violence, rape, sexual assault and exposure” (Walby & Allen, 2004).

Reasons why you may not be ready to leave:
 You may still care for your partner and hope that they will change (many people don't necessarily want to leave the relationship, they just want the violence to stop).

 You may feel ashamed about what has happened or believe that it is your fault.

 You may be scared of the future (where you will go, what you will do for money, whether you will have to hide forever and what will happen to the children).

 You may worry about money, and supporting yourself and her children.

 You may feel too exhausted or unsure to make any decisions.

 You may be isolated from family or friends or be prevented from leaving the home or reaching out for help.

 You may not know where to go.

 You may have low self-esteem as a result of the abuse.

 You may believe that it is better to stay for the sake of the children (eg wishing to prevent the stigma associated with being a single parent).

Victims of Domestic Violence need to know that they will be taken seriously and that their rights will be enforced. They need to have accessible options and be supported to make safe changes for themselves and their children. Resources and support they will need to leave safely include: money, housing, help with moving, transport, ongoing protection from the police, legal support to protect themselves and their children, a guaranteed income and emotional support. If a person is not sure if these are available to them, this may also prevent them from leaving.

What is PAIRs?

PAIRS stands for Preventing Abuse In Relationships and was established in 2000 as a multi-agency forum to tackle domestic violence in Stafford Borough and aims to enhance and improve services and responses for victims.

Stafford PAIRs strongly believe that the only way to tackle domestic violence effectively is in a multi-agency approach and agencies’ contribution to this is invaluable.

How Can 1st Solicitors help?

Helen Jackson is Specialist Lawyer in Family Law, a member of Resolution and a Collaborative Lawyer.

Resolution means that Family Lawyers seek to resolve disputes in a non-confrontational way. Resolution believes:

“that Family Law disputes should be dealt with in a constructive way designed to preserve people’s dignity and to encourage agreements” [Resolution, Code of Practice]

At 1st Solicitors we can offer a free initial interview to inform you of your rights.

At 1st Solicitors we know that Domestic Violence is unacceptable and can help you to live your life free of fear.

We can do this in the following ways:

NON-MOLESTATION ORDERS AND INJUNCTIONS
Non-Molestation Orders (Injunctions) are usually applied for in cases of domestic violence and are Orders made by the Court preventing a person from pestering, harassing, threatening or being violent to another person, or to any child involved.




OCCUPATION ORDERS
An Occupation Order is an Order made by the Court who decides who should carry on living in the matrimonial home in the short or long term after there has been violence of harassment.

POWERS OF ARREST
A Power of Arrest can sometimes be attached to a Non-Molestation Order or Occupation Order (See above) which gives the Police the power to arrest a person breaking the Order and bring them before the Court.

DIVORCE AND SEPARATION
A Divorce is a formal and legal way of ending your marriage. You must have been married for at least a year and be habitually resident in England and Wales in order for the Courts to have jurisdiction in dissolving the marriage.
Please note that upon filing of the Divorce Petition it is possible to apply to the Court in order to keep your address confidential. The Court will need this information but it will not be released to the Respondent.

JUDICIAL SEPARATION
Judicial Separation can end a marriage in practical terms, but not legally. Judicial Separation tends to be used where religious beliefs prohibits Divorce. Separation does not end the marriage, but it does mean that firm arrangements can be made for children and finances.

If you would like any further information on any of the matters that 1st Solicitors can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01785 213234 or email us on enquiries@1stsolicitors.co.uk

All information that is given to this firm will be treated as strictly confidential.


Female Help and Assistance with Domestic Violence

Staffordshire Women’s Aid - 0870 2700 123

Freephone 24 hr National domestic violence helpline - 0808 2000 247


Male Help and Assistance with Domestic Violence
RESPECT - 0845 122 8609
Advice and Support for Men in Abusive Relationships - 0808 801 0327


(Information taken from Women’s Aid website and Leaflets)