Domestic Abuse Consultation
The term Domestic Abuse is often thought of as a taboo subject. What do you think of when someone says “Domestic Abuse”? Do you think of a women lay in a hospital bed with a bloodied face, crying or unconscious? Do you think of your neighbour who can’t access their own money for shopping and basic supplies? Or a child that is withdrawn from the group of friends and who seems to always be in trouble at home? Domestic Abuse takes so many different forms, and is so diverse that sometimes those surrounding the victims are simply unaware as to the true picture. Even worse, the abusers know exactly how to control their victims and how to deceive the outside world.
Over the last 12 months the government has used teen friendly adverts promoting healthy relationships and trying to stress what characteristics are not acceptable when in a private intimate relationship. This is only the tip of the iceberg of change for sufferers of domestic abuse.
Now, within the last 14 days the government has launched a consultation which is aimed at changing the ways in which Domestic Abuse is recognised, defined and handled. This is long over due with many victims and children being affected each year, and the number of deaths due to domestic abuse on the rise.
The Right Honourable Yvette Cooper MP is charged with heading the committee looking in to this extremely sensitive area of public life and has revealed statistics that “242 women were killed by a partner or ex-partner over the last three years – almost 7 each month”. She went on to confirm that there are over “2million victims a year” who suffer domestic abuse within their homes. These are only the figures that have been published and is expected that a considerable amount of Domestic Abuse still goes unreported, unrecognised or tackled by professionals.
Hollie Styles at Thursfields, has a wealth of experience in helping victims of domestic abuse break the cycle and start to rebuild their lives free of fear. There are people out there that can help adults and their children to have a more normal life without the abuser remaining in control. There are a variety of orders which are available to those in situations in which they are fearful such as Non-Molestation Orders or Occupation Orders. Sometimes these are the starting blocks that lead to further assistance, financial or otherwise, which the victims so desperately need.
If you would like more information on how to break the cycle and need some support in securing orders to protect you and your child, then please contact Hollie for a free 30 minutes consultation.
Hollie was nominated for the prestigious Family CILEX of the year award in the Family Law Awards held in London in 2017, and locally in the Worcestershire Women of the Year Award for her commitment to helping families get it right following separation or abuse.
Contact Hollie on 01299 827517 or hstyles@thursfields.co.uk
