Skip to content
If you are in immediate danger please call 999.
Call us now for an urgent appointment on 0191 232 9547 0r email louise.law@davidgray.co.uk.
Experiencing domestic abuse can be extremely frightening. Domestic abuse is common and can take many forms, including emotional, financial, psychological, physical, sexual abuse or coercive and controlling behaviour.
Statistics show that in the UK, the police receive a domestic abuse-related call every 30 seconds, yet it is estimated that only 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police. Domestic abuse happens in close relationships between people of all ages, gender, sexual orientation, class and culture.
At David Gray , we understand that experiencing domestic abuse can be very difficult, and that you may find it daunting to speak up and ask for help and support. Our domestic abuse solicitors have extensive experience in this area of family law. We have offices in Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields, and we support victims of domestic violence across the whole North East.
Whether you are experiencing domestic abuse in the form of emotional abuse, physical abuse or something else, we are here to help you. Our team can provide you with expert legal advice on obtaining legal aid and applying for an injunction, including a non-molestation order.
Acknowledging that a partner, spouse or family member is abusing you is one of the hardest steps you can take and is extremely difficult to come to terms with. We know you may be frightened, confused and anxious and asking for help can be difficult and daunting.
As a victim of domestic abuse, there are several legal options available to you, from reporting the abuse to the police, sending a warning letter, to obtaining an injunction, including a non-molestation order and/or occupation order.
David Gray’s specialist domestic abuse solicitors have many years of experience working with clients experiencing domestic abuse or domestic violence. They can provide you with legal advice which is relevant and specific to your circumstances.
Securing your safety is our top priority, and we will become part of your support network, providing expert advice every step of the way.
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse can be defined as an incident or pattern of abusive behaviour. Behaviour is abusive if it consists of any one of the following:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Violent or threatening behaviour
- Coercive or controlling behaviour
- Economic abuse
- Psychological, emotional or another abuse.
In the majority of cases, domestic abuse is carried out by a partner or ex-partner. However, it can also be carried out by a family member or relative.
What is coercive and controlling behaviour?
Coercive and controlling behaviour is an act – or a pattern of acts – of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation used to harm, punish or frighten a victim. This type of behaviour can make a person dependent by isolating them from support, exploiting them, depriving them of independence and regulating their everyday behaviour.
Some common examples of coercive behaviour are:
- Isolating you from friends or family
- Monitoring your time
- Controlling your finances
- Repeatedly putting you down
- Making threats or intimidating you
What is gaslighting?
Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse where a person manipulates another into questioning their own reality, sanity, memory and perception to gain power and control. Generally, it happens very gradually in a relationship. At first, the abuser’s actions may seem harmless, but if these patterns continue over time, the victim may become confused, anxious, isolated and depressed.There are a variety of techniques which may be used by an abusive partner who is gaslighting you, such as:
- Withholding, where they pretend not to understand or refuse to listen
- Countering, where they question the victim’s memory of events, despite the victim actually remembering them correctly
- Blocking or diverting, where they change the subject and/or question the victim’s thoughts
- Trivialising, where they make the victim’s needs or feelings seem unimportant
- Forgetting or denial, where they pretend to have forgotten what actually happened or deny things
What is emotional abuse?
Emotional abuse can be difficult to detect because of its subtleties. Often a foundation for other forms of abuse, emotional abuse is used to erode a person’s self-esteem and self-worth, and create a psychological dependency on the abusive partner. It includes non-physical behaviours that are used to control, isolate or frighten victims and may present in romantic relationships as threats, insults, constant monitoring, excessive jealousy and dismissiveness.
It is not uncommon for emotional abuse to escalate to physical violence. Sometimes, this escalation is slow but it can also happen rapidly.
What is online abuse?
Online platforms are increasingly used to perpetrate domestic abuse.
Online abuse, or digital abuse, can happen over long periods and escalate over time and abusive partners can become controlling by reading emails and texts, checking locations of social media posts, monitoring social media accounts or emails, sharing intimate photos or videos without your consent or using GPS locators.
Online abuse can also occur in the form of stalking through social media or harassment by text message.
What is economic abuse?
Economic abuse is any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on someone’s ability to acquire, use or maintain money or property or obtain goods or services.
Financial abuse is a type of economic abuse that is commonly experienced by domestic abuse victims. This type of abuse can show in many forms, including:
- Keeping you out of education or work
- Limiting your working hours
- Taking or exerting control over your income or spending
- Making you ask for money or controlling it with a certain allowance
- Insisting your savings, house or other assets are in their name
- Building up debt in your name, potentially without you knowing
What is sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse includes a number of coerced sexual acts, including:
- Rape
- Indecent exposure
- Sexual harassment
- Inappropriate looking or touching
- Sexual pornography
This type of domestic abuse can also include subjecting someone to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure or sexual assault. These examples are linked by the fact that the victim did not consent, or felt pressured into consenting, to a sexual act.
Someone may show signs of sexual abuse if they have physical marks on their body, like cuts, bruises and marks, irritation, pain or bleeding in the genital area, infections or pregnancy. However, not all signs of sexual abuse are physical; a victim may refuse help with personal care, feel reluctant to be alone with certain people or they may seem distant.
Experiencing one or multiple of these forms of domestic abuse can be extremely distressing. Learning that a family member or friend has experienced domestic abuse can also be difficult to process and you may struggle with knowing how best to support them.
It is important to seek legal advice and support from specialist domestic abuse solicitors if you are a victim of domestic violence. You can talk to a member of our expert team of family solicitors who can provide you with the guidance you need at this difficult time and give you options as to how you can proceed.
At David Gray, our family law team members can also support you with other issues related to domestic abuse, such as divorce, child protection and child arrangements.
Here, one of our domestic abuse specialists offers advice on what to do if you or someone you know is experiencing abuse:
Clare’s Law
Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), is a police policy which gives people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of domestic abuse or violence.
Named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009, the scheme was formally rolled out in England in Wales in 2014. Under the Law, you have the right to:
- Make an application to the police requesting information about your current or ex-partner because you are worried they may have an abusive past and believe they may pose a risk to you in the future
- Request information from the police about the current or ex-partner or a close friend, neighbour or family member because you are worried that they may be at risk of future domestic abuse
Legal aid for domestic abuse
Legal aid is available if you are a victim of domestic abuse and are financially eligible. Our team of friendly family solicitors will always assess your eligibility for legal aid, and help you to get the necessary information to enable us to apply for funding on your behalf as quickly as possible
How can domestic abuse solicitors at David Gray help?
Our team of expert domestic abuse solicitors will be here to support you throughout the entire process of any legal proceedings and will approach your situation with compassion and care.
We are here to advise you about the way to protect yourself from abuse inflicted by a partner, spouse or other family member. If you have children, they are our priority too, and we can advise on any social service involvement and care proceedings if necessary, or work with our child protection solicitors to conclude what will be best for you and your child moving forward.
Every case of domestic abuse is different, but your safety is top priority to our team at David Gray .
With extensive experience in cases involving domestic abuse, our solicitors can guide you on the best course of action for your situation and can also advise you about related issues concerning property, finances – including urgent financial applications on divorce if you are a victim of financial abuse – and children.
Getting help and support for domestic abuse
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, you may not know who to turn to for support.
You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If you are a victim of domestic abuse, it is important to tell someone so you can access the right support.
Anyone can talk to a doctor, health visitor or midwife, or call Karma Nirvana on 0800 599 247. You can also call the Gov.uk Forced Marriage Unit on 020 7008 0151. In an emergency, you should call 999.
Female victims of domestic abuse can:
- Call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, on 0808 2000 247
- Email helpline@womensaid.org.uk
- Access The Survivor’s Handbook from Women’s Aid for free information on issues such as housing, money, helping your children and your legal rights
Male victims of domestic abuse can:
- Call Respect Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010 327 or visit the webchat on Men’s Advice Line
- Call ManKind on 0182 3334 244
- Email info@mensadviceline.org.uk
LGBTQ+ victims of domestic abuse can:
- Call Galop on 0800 999 5428
- Email help@galop,org.uk
You can find more information about domestic abuse and getting support on the NHS website.
Applying for an injunction
An injunction is a court order that prevents someone from doing something, which can include a non-molestation order or an occupation order. If you are at risk from domestic abuse, an injunction can help to protect you and your family. Our specialist domestic abuse solicitors can provide legal advice around applying for an injunction.
There are two main types of injunctions available for survivors of domestic abuse:
- A non-molestation order: this protects you and your children from being threatened, harassed or harmed by your abuser or through third parties.
- An occupation order: this sets out who can live in the family home and can prevent your abuser from entering the property.
We work closely with local support organisations to ensure you receive the practical and emotional help you need alongside our legal advice.
Advice for domestic abuse organisations
We work closely with agencies, charities and support organisations to ensure service users receive the support they need as well as the correct legal advice.
For more information please contact Louise Law by email or on 0191 232 9547, or complete the contact form on our website in confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse, or domestic violence, is behaviour from one person towards another person that is abusive. Behaviour is abusive if it consists of any of the following:
- Emotional abuse/coercive and controlling behaviour: the abuser employs a range of personalised, psychological tactics to manipulate, control and frighten a person, changing their sense of self to maintain control.
- Financial or economic abuse: described as any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on someone’s ability to acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services.
- Physical abuse: the abuser uses an intentional act to cause injury or trauma to another person through bodily contact, including a range of behaviours like hitting, slapping, punching or more severe forms of violence.
- Sexual abuse: this is a general term used to describe any unwanted sexual activity, including acts by violence, coercion or manipulation, regardless of the relationship to the victim and can consist of rape, sexual assault, harassment or exploitation, unwanted or inappropriate content, or revenge porn.
Domestic abuse can happen in relationships between couples but also between family members. It can happen to anyone, and anyone can be an abuser.
All forms of domestic abuse or domestic violence can have a lifelong psychological impact on the victim and their families. There is support available for everyone, no matter how you identify, and you can find information on the NHS website. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Shall I report my abusive partner to the police?
At David Gray, we understand that people who experience domestic abuse can find it difficult to ask for help or support, and this can include reporting incidents to the police. We understand that there are lots of reasons why you may feel like this, including a lack of trust, fear of repercussions or fear that you will not be believed.
We would urge you to contact your local police force to report any incidents of domestic abuse or domestic violence which you experience. It is important that they are logged and investigated as they can be used within Family Court proceedings if they are required. In addition, the police are able to give you advice and support around whether the conduct amounts to a criminal offence. The police may be able to implement bail conditions to keep you safe.
We can also provide you with advice and support regarding your options if you have been subject to domestic abuse, including applications to court to protect you. Please contact our Customer Relationship Manager, Louise Law on 0191 232 9547.
I'd like to make an application to Court for an Injunction, but I am scared about going to Court.
The Courts are familiar with dealing with vulnerable people. There are special provisions which can be requested to ensure a person’s safety at court. These are things such as protective screens within the court room so that you do not have to see the other party, separate waiting areas and separate entrances to the court building. It is also possible to ask the Court to attend remotely.
We will be able to talk you through these options and provide you with advice in advance of any attendance at Court, to reassure you. If you require advice regarding domestic abuse, please contact Louise Law on 0191 2329547.
Will Social Services get involved with my children if I make a report of domestic abuse?
The Local Authority have a duty of care towards children, which includes safeguarding children in the area to ensure they are not exposed to harm, which includes domestic abuse. Our domestic abuse solicitors are also experienced as child protection solicitors and care proceedings solicitors, and we will work with you to ensure the best outcome and to keep your child safe.
The focus of Children’s Services is to help support families to stay together and this can include offering support and advice to victims of domestic abuse. Children’s Services can help to find local organisations to support you, including housing, health services and specialist domestic abuse support services. They will expect you to work openly and honestly about the circumstances that you are in and to take on board advice regarding how best to protect yourself and your children.
At David Gray, our family law team, including our expert domestic abuse solicitors and domestic violence solicitors, offer advice and assistance regarding the Local Authority’s involvement with families and domestic abuse victims. Please contact Louise Law on 0191 2329547.
I'm scared if I report domestic abuse it will get worse
We understand that seeking advice regarding your circumstances can seem like a very frightening prospect and that you might worry about your partner finding out. It is possible to apply to Court without giving notice or telling the other party so that a protective order called a Non-Molestation Order can be made by the Court to immediately offer protection to you and any children, if needed. We can also refer you to support services to ensure you have the right package of support around you.
We can give you advice and represent you at court on an urgent basis by asking the Court to grant an urgent Order for your protection. If you require advice, please contact Louise Law on 0191 2329547.
