Domestic Violence occurs when one person harms another person with whom they have or have had a relationship.
They do not need to be partners, and they do not need to live in the same property. Both women and men can be the victims of Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence can be where one person physically attacks the other, but it may also be emotional, sexual or financial abuse. Children can also be victims if they have witnessed Domestic Violence.
If you need help to recognize whether you are being abused, there are many organisations that can give you confidential advice and we can provide you with details of them. There are also many local shelters.
Emotional abuse – also known as psychological abuse, can be particularly hard to spot because it leaves no physical evidence on the victim. The abuser is trying to gain psychological power and control over the victim.
Emotional abuse is typically verbal and can involve the abuser:
Coercive controlling behaviour is a form of Domestic Violence. The definitions are:
An act, or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten the victim.
A range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.
The term refers to a form of intimidation or psychological abuse where false information is presented to the victim, in order to encourage them to doubt their memory and perception. At it’s most extreme, gaslighting is used by abusers in conjunction with physical abuse to prevent it being reported.
The techniques have been compared to brainwashing and have lasting effects on the victim. Gaslighting is often difficult to spot as it has no obvious physical signs, however is very manipulative and can cause long term mental health issues which often lead to victims questioning their own sanity.
5 key characteristics of gaslighting:
If you are the victim of Domestic Violence, you have a number of options available. These include reporting the violence to the police, leaving home temporarily (or permanently) or staying in your home and getting the person who is harming you to leave. The paramount consideration is securing your safety and that of your children, and we can provide legal advice as to the most appropriate steps to take.
We are domestic abuse solicitors who have a great deal of experience in high conflict cases.
We also have experience in making and defending a range of emergency applications.
We provide pragmatic and non-judgmental advice that ensures that steps are taken that are proportionate to the concerns raised and that limit the chance of any further occurrences.
In order to resolve a case, a clear strategy needs to be put into place that recognizes the need for a constructive dialogue to occur, breaking the cycle that had taken place before.
The breakdown of any relationship can be stressful, but when there are complicating factors such as this, it is imperative to get expert help to guide you through.
Please call 0333 016 3333 and speak to a member of our Team if you require any help or assistance.
Please provide a brief outline of your query and one of our Team will contact you shortly. If your matter is urgent, please call us.
