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Domestic Violence and Abuse Blog

Domestic Abuse Awareness Month

Harriet Starkey
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October typically welcomes the ‘spooky’ season and winter months, however it is also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. This is recognised annually to raise awareness about domestic violence and abuse and more importantly, how to recognise it, how...

Domestic abusers could find themselves subject to electronic tags upon release from prison

Harriet Starkey
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A new scheme will be launched in the East and West Midlands, which will see offenders that pose a threat to their former partner and/or their children, being subject to electronic tagging. This will help protect victims from further abuse following their...

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Harriet Starkey
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is widely recognised as a month to raise awareness about the issue of domestic violence in our society and what can be done to stop it. It is a problem in every culture, religion and race and it can take...

Tougher sentences for domestic killers

Harriet Starkey
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In March 2023, it was published that the government has plans to enforce tougher sentences on domestic abusers who kill their current or previous partners.  What does this mean for those found guilty of domestic homicide? The law will be changed...

Child Support (Enforcement) Act 2023 and The Child Support Collection (Domestic Abuse) Act 2023

Harriet Starkey
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What is this new law? The Child Support (Enforcement) Bill was introduced by MP Siobhan Baillie and Baroness Redfern and received Royal Assent on 20 th July 2023, meaning it is now law. This Act means that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)...

No Pride in Domestic Abuse.

Rhian Williams
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Approximately 25% of people in the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community suffer from Domestic Abuse within relationships. However, it is considered that domestic abuse within these communities is underreported, as the persons are fearful that...

Love Bombing - attention today, abuse tomorrow

Rhian Williams
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As of 24 th April 2023, Love Bombing is now recognised by the Crown Prosecution Service as a sign of emotional abuse in the UK, but what is Love Bombing and what are the signs?  Love Bombing is often disguised as excessive flattery; showering with...

Domestic abuse will rise during the World Cup

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For some people, the World Cup is nothing more than a passion for football. For others, it can ignite a fear of abuse from a partner with pre-existing patterns of this behaviour, causing anxieties and worry. Research has found that reports of domestic abuse...

'Domestic Abuse register to tackle violence against women.'

Rhian Williams
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Perpetrators of domestic violence could be made to sign a register if Labour wins power, the party has announced. Shadow Justice Secretary Steve Reed has said that perpetrators of domestic violence would be monitored in the same way as sex offenders....

I want to leave my abusive Partner- How can I protect myself and my children?

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For the purpose of this Article, the term ‘partner’ can include your husband, wife, civil partner and unmarried partner or those who are living together (co-habiting). Domestic abuse/violence is widely defined by the Government as ‘any...

Angel Lynn - Coercive Control

Rhian Williams
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Angel Lynn was in an abusive relationship with Chay Bowskill. On 17 th September 2020, Angel was kidnapped by Bowskill. Bowskill was captured on CCTV chasing Angel down a street following an argument. He was seen to grab her from behind and she was forced...

What is Coercive Control?

Bethany  Gray
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Coercive Control is a form of abuse, as set out in Section 1 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. Controlling behaviour is defined as a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependant by isolating them from their sources of support,...

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Bethany  Gray
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Thursday 25 th November 2021 marks the launch of the UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign, consisting of 16 days of activism across the UN and concluding on 10 th December, which will be International Human Rights Day. This campaign, led by the UN...

Time limit for charges for Common Assault

Rhian Williams
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There is currently a six-month time limit for a charge to be brought against someone for common assault. The BBC recently revealed that 13,000 cases in England and Wales have been dropped in the last 5 years, due to exceeding the time limit. Currently,...

What can I expect when I start divorce proceedings?

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Deciding to start divorce proceedings can be a very overwhelming experience and you can often not know where to start. The following article explores the different steps involved in the divorce procedure and provides assistance on the process. Provided that...

Change in Court fees

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Generally, when an application is made to the Court a Court fee is required. As of 30 th September 2021, the HMCTS have raised their Court fees in respect of Family matters. Therefore, the Court fees are now: Divorce Petition       ...

It's coming home. Oh no, sorry, it's not

Rhian Williams
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It’s not coming home and I wish you weren’t either. Euros 2020. The highlight of year. Gareth Southgate leading our boys in white to the final. 120 minutes of white-knuckle entertainment, to see Italy win at the final hurdle. Unlucky. Unluckier...

Covid-19: What if parents cannot agree on vaccinating their child?

Bethany  Gray
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The decision as to whether to order the vaccination of a child has been an issue for the Courts for many years before the existence of the Covid-19 virus. Now that the roll-out of the vaccines for the virus have been a success in respect of adults, the...

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Bethany  Gray
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Following agreement by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords on its text, the Domestic Abuse Bill received Royal Assent on 29 th April 2021, meaning that it is now an Act of Parliament and therefore, law. The aims of the Act were to make...

What can I expect if I apply for a Child Arrangements Order?

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It is common that when a relationship breaks down, conversations need to be had about the arrangements for the children to be able to spend time with both parents. It is always best if parents can reach an agreement between themselves in an attempt to ensure...

Changes in Legal Aid Capital Assessment

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It has long been an issue that if a person has equity in a property over and above £8,000 (after all disregards are taken into consideration) then they will be refused Legal Aid on the basis of having too much capital. This has prevented many from...

Raising awareness of Domestic Abuse - LWA Wear, Share Aware Campaign

Bethany  Gray
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Since  the third lockdown came into force reports of domestic abuse have continued to rise nationally, with many victims of domestic abuse being forced to isolate with their abuser.  As a result they  are experiencing increased difficulty in...

Domestic Abuse - Am I eligible for Legal Aid?

Bethany  Gray
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Legal Aid is the provision of financial assistance to people who are unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. Legal Aid is payment from public funds, and only provided in cases of need. If you have been the victim of domestic...

What can I do if my ex-partner is stopping me from seeing my child?

Bethany  Gray
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Many parents experience problems securing contact with their children following the breakdown of a relationship.  Are you one of them?  If so, this article may help. In accordance with the Children Act 1989, as long as it is safe, children are...

Domestic Abuse: The Shadow Pandemic

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Since the Covid-19 lockdown, there has been a sharp rise in reports of domestic abuse. The head of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, declared that violence against women and girls is a “ shadow pandemic ” during the wider coronavirus crisis, as...