Domestic abuse is defined as the behaviour of one person against another, in any type of relationship, that is used to gain and maintain power and control. It can include economic abuse, psychological, emotional, physical or sexual abuse as well as behaviour that is violent or threatening as well as controlling or coercive.
Victims of domestic abuse can seek specialized legal advice from our domestic violence solicitors in London. Together with our help, you can find out how you can protect yourself and the legal options you have to exit the relationship and limit contact with the abuser.
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How is domestic abuse determined?
Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, can take many forms between individuals who are or have been family members or intimate partners, irrespective of age. Abusive behaviour can include physical and sexual ones, however, it is not limited to these, and many types of abuse are psychological or emotional, with elements of violence and coercive behaviour. If you believe that are in an abusive relationship, our domestic abuse solicitors in London can help answer some important questions.
Economic abuse is also included in this broad definition, and it is the act performed by one individual over another that seriously affects the victim’s ability to acquire, use or maintain money or property or obtain goods or services.
Domestic violence cases can often mean that the victim of the violence will wish to get out of the abusive relationship as fast as possible. Our divorce lawyer in London can answer your questions about the divorce process, your ability to apply for a restraining order, and any other details that may be helpful for your situation. Do not hesitate to contact us as soon as possible.
What are the laws on domestic violence in the UK?
The Domestic Abuse Act was signed into law at the end of April 2021, allowing victims to benefit from strengthened measures, such as one that helps prevent intimidation. It includes information on how domestic abuse is defined, how children who are victims are treated as well as data on the role and function of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, appointed by the Secretary of State.
The Act includes important information on the powers for dealing with domestic abuse, such as protection notices and protection orders. Our team of domestic violence solicitors in London can give you more information on these orders, their types, and how victims of domestic abuse have the right to receive support from the local authorities.
The law also offers information on offences that involve abusive or violent behaviour that is committed outside the UK.
In the UK, violence against women and girls includes a wide range of types of abuse: domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and domestic homicide.
Some of the measures introduced by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 include:
- New powers attributed to the police, including the introduction of a domestic abuse protection notice and the domestic abuse order – our family lawyers in London can give you more details about these;
- New types of protection and support for victims, including measures of protection in the courtroom;
- A new offence was introduced: non-fatal strangulation or suffocation;
- In April 2023 a statutory guidance concerning the domestic violence disclosure scheme was also released.
Perhaps most importantly, the Act expanded the statutory definition of domestic abuse. Abusive treatment is not only limited to physical violence against women and/or children. It can also include controlling behaviour, economic abuse, emotional abuse, or coercive behaviour.
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Given the fact that domestic abuse is an umbrella term and that victims may ask for aid for more than one form of abuse, seeking legal assistance, such as that offered by our family law solicitors in London, is a key step.
Data collected by important charity organizations working to end domestic abuse in the UK highlights the fact that this remains a gendered crime – most victims are female, and in more than half of the cases, the perpetrator is a partner or an ex-partner.
How can you report domestic abuse and how can our domestic abuse solicitors in London help?
Domestic abuse and/or violence is reported to the police. Victims can also refer to organizations that offer help, in addition to discussing their legal options with one of our specialized solicitors. In case of emergency or immediate danger, we encourage all victims to call 999. Domestic abuse affects men and women alike, immigrants or refugees as well as children. You should always be aware that being in an abusive relationship is not acceptable, that you have rights, and that the aggressor’s behaviour should not be justified, and repeated offences should not be permitted.
Our domestic abuse solicitors in London can assist victims of domestic abuse and our lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and start all and any legal proceedings, including applying for the protection order.
Victims should keep in mind that legal aid, provided by the Government, is available in certain cases. Our lawyers can help you find out if you qualify and will provide legal assistance accordingly.
A key eligibility criterion for getting legal aid in the UK for cases involving domestic abuse or violence is the victim’s inability to pay for the legal costs.
As a victim of abuse, you will need to provide sufficient evidence, however, you can talk to our family solicitors in London before you gather this evidence, and we can help you determine if you qualify.
Statistical data on domestic abuse in the UK
According to the Office for National Statistics, it was estimated that 2.3 million adults in England and Wales, aged 16 to 74, experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2020. Other data on domestic abuse, including information released in the Crime Survey for England and Wales, is presented below by our team of solicitors:
- Almost 1 in 5 adults aged 16 and more had experienced abuse since the age of 16.
- It was estimated that 5.7% of women and 3.2% of men experienced domestic abuse in the analysed period (the year ending in March 2023);
- By comparison, 6.9% of women and 3.0% of men were victims of domestic abuse in the year ending in March 2022; this is the estimated equivalent of 2.4 million adults, out of which 1.7 million were women;
- 94.6% of perpetrators were male and in 73% of the reported cases these were partners or ex-partners of the women who called the service;
- Most of the women who were subjected to domestic abuse had children (62%) and 12.1% of the women who were abused were not British nationals.
The data issued by Women’s Aid as per an annual audit released in 2023 also informs us that there were 55 more bedspaces available to women in need of housing services after having fled their homes following domestic abuse. At the same time, however, in 2023 there were fewer vacancies.
While most domestic abuses remain non-physical, stalking and sexual assaults (of any degree) are still prevalent.
We can help you if you are a victim of domestic abuse. Adequate response, interventions, and, as needed, quality legal services, are of great importance for victims. Contact our domestic abuse solicitors in London as soon as you are safe and able to so that we may answer your questions.
