Are You Experiencing Domestic Abuse?

Confidential legal advice and protection from abuse, across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, the North East and beyond.


If you have found this page, you may be dealing with something frightening and difficult to talk about. You might be unsure whether what you are experiencing counts as domestic abuse, what may happen next, or whether you can afford legal help.

Our team deals with these situations every day. Everything you tell us is confidential. We will listen, explain your options clearly, and help you take the steps that feel right for you.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC ABUSE?

Domestic abuse is not only physical violence. It includes emotional, psychological, financial and sexual abuse. It also includes coercive control, which is a pattern of behaviour designed to isolate, monitor or frighten you.

If someone close to you is making you feel afraid, controlling what you do, monitoring where you go or threatening you, there is help. You do not have to have been physically hurt to qualify for legal protection.

WHAT LEGAL PROTECTION IS AVAILABLE?

The law provides specific protections for people experiencing domestic abuse. Our team can apply for these order on your behalf, often urgently.

Non-Molestation Order

A Non-Molestation Order is a court order that legally prevents someone from using or threatening violence against you, harassing or intimidating you, or contacting you in ways you do not want. Breaching a Non-Molestation order is a criminal offence and the Police can arrest that person.

Occupation Order

An Occupation order sets out who can live in the family home. These type of orders can force an abusive partner to leave the property even if they legally own it or their name is on the tenancy. It can also allow you to return to a home you have had to leave as a result of someone else’s behaviour.

Child Arrangements Orders

Where children are also involved, a Child Arrangements Order sets out where a child lives and how they spend time with each parent. Where parents cannot agree and things cannot be resolved between themselves, the court decides.

Prohibited Steps Orders

A Prohibited Steps Order prevents a parent from taking a specific action without court approval. Common examples are taking a child abroad without consent or relocating with a child to a different part of the country.

Specific Issue Orders

A Specific Issue Order resolves a specific dispute about how a child is being raised, such as which school they attend, whether they can receive a particular medical treatment or the faith in which they are brought up. Where parents cannot agree and the matter is significant, a court application to determine the issue, is usually the appropriate route.

CAN I APPLY TO COURT WITHOUT THE OTHER PERSON KNOWING?

Yes, in certain circumstances. Applications made without telling the other person first are issued ‘without notice’ to the other person. Where there is an immediate risk of harm, a Judge can hear the application urgently and if necessary, grant an interim order the same day. The other person would be told about the order only after it has initially been made.

We will advise you on which route is appropriate for your situation.

YOUR LEGAL COSTS MAY BE COVERED

We hold a Legal Aid contract, which means your legal help may be free, if you qualify.

Legal Aid is available in many domestic abuse cases and may be available regardless of income, depending on the specific circumstances. You do not always need to be in receipt of state benefits to qualify for legal aid. Evidence of the domestic abuse can support your application. This can include police records, medical notes, photographs, text messages or emails, records you have kept yourself, or a statement.

If you are unsure whether Legal Aid applies to your situation, speak to us and we will carry out a full assessment. If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, we will discuss all options available to you.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I GET HELP?

As quickly as your situation requires. Where there is an urgent risk to you or your children, we can apply to the court for emergency protection on a same-day or next-day basis. For less urgent matters, we will work at a pace that feels right for you.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything you tell us is confidential. We will not contact anyone, share your information, or take any step on your behalf without first obtaining your agreement.

If you need to speak to us without the person you live with knowing, we can discuss the safest way to do that. If you are concerned about your browser history being seen, you can clear it after visiting this page, or use a private browsing window.

WHO WE WORK WITH

We work closely with organisations that support people experiencing domestic abuse, including Women’s Aid, Purple House, Blue Door, LDASS and Oasis. If you are already in contact with any of these organisations, with your permission we can work alongside them.

SPEAKING TO US

Call any of our offices during opening hours, or use our website chat or contact form if it is not safe to call right now. We can call you back on a number and at a time that works for you.

Everything is handled with complete confidentiality.

Call: 01482 326511

Enquiry Form