Domestic Abuse during the festive season

Christmas is always seen as a joyous time of year to celebrate with family and those we love. However, whilst this is true for many families, Christmas can also put a strain on relationships and can lead to a rise in instances of domestic abuse.

If you are in immediate danger and/or fear for your safety, call the police via 999. If you call the police and cannot speak due to a risk of danger, you can respond by coughing or tapping on the handset. If you are calling from a mobile device, you can press 55 on the handset which will automatically transfer you to the police after dialling 999.

Domestic abuse includes, but is not limited to, physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

I am experiencing domestic abuse – what should I do?

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, we would strongly encourage you to reach out for support. We would advise the following:

1. Speak to a solicitor to explore and understand whether you can get protection in the form of a Non-Molestation Order and/or Occupation order. A Non-Molestation Order is an order that prohibits someone from engaging in certain types of abusive behaviour towards someone else, such as contacting a person or going within a certain distance from a property. An Occupation Order is an order which regulates who lives in the home.
2. Reach out to a support service which specialises in domestic abuse. There are a wide variety of services to support people all year round.
3. If you are able, speak to a trusted family member or close friend. This can often help in creating a ‘safety plan’ for if something goes wrong and you need to seek help to reach out for support.

When should I get in touch with a Solicitor and what can they do?

We would always advise that the earlier you get in touch with us, the better. We will:

• Spend time understanding your situation and exploring the different legal options available. Where necessary, we can apply for a protective injunction the same day, without giving notice to the other person
• Explore different funding options with you to clarify whether you are eligible for legal aid
• Guarantee a same day call back for enquiries relating to domestic abuse. At David Gray, we have a dedicated rota which means that someone is available each day specifically to speak with people who make enquiries about issues of domestic abuse. You can speak with them about what has been happening and they can offer you honest, straightforward and upfront advice.

Contact our domestic abuse solicitors

You can contact us via:

1. Telephone – our number is 0191 232 9547. Please ask for our client relations manage, Louise Law, for further advice and support.
2. Online – you can use our ‘contact us’ feature to get in touch online – Contact | David Gray Solicitors.