Domestic Abuse
Domestic Abuse encompasses a range of abusive behaviours that can occur within a marriage, civil partnership or family situation.
Domestic Abuse encompasses a range of abusive behaviours that can occur within a marriage, civil partnership or family situation.
Addressing Domestic Abuse can require a multifaceted approach that includes legal intervention, support services and safety planning. If you are suffering from Domestic Abuse, it is possible to make an application to the family court for an injunction to help protect you.
There are two types of injunction:
A Non-Molestation order protects you or your children from violence, the threat of violence, intimidating, harassing or pestering behaviour from the person who has abused you. The terms of the Non-Molestation order will be tailored specifically to take into account the abusive behaviour that you need to be protected from.
If a person breaches a Non-Molestation order, they can be arrested and could face a prison sentence of up to 5 years.
An Occupation order regulates who can live in the family home (or even parts of the family home). The order can also restrict a person from entering the area surrounding the family home.
Both Non-Molestation orders and Occupation orders can be applied for on an urgent basis in cases where you need protection immediately (these are also known as ‘ex parte’ or ‘without notice’ applications).
If you believe that you are a victim of Domestic Abuse, please contact a member of our Family department so that we can advise you on what steps can be taken to protect you.