30 Jun 2020
Peterborough office
48 Broadway, Peterborough Cambridgeshire, PE1 1YW
01733 346 333 01733 562 338 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukStamford office
10 Ironmonger Street, Stamford Lincolnshire, PE9 1PL
01780 752 066 01780 762 774 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukOakham office
66 South Street, Oakham Rutland, LE15 6BQ
01572 757 565 01572 720 555 enquiries@hegarty.co.ukMarket Deeping office
27a Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA
01778 230 120 01778 230 129 enquiries@hegarty.co.uk30 Jun 2020
Over the past few months, the coronavirus lockdown has meant victims of domestic abuse have been at even greater risk, as have their children. National newspapers have reported emergency calls to the police and support services have risen and it has been estimated that cases of domestic abuse have increased by 20% during the lockdown, as many people are trapped at home with their abuser. The UN has described the worldwide increase in domestic abuse as a "shadow pandemic" alongside Covid-19.
Domestic abuse is described as:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, the first port of call is to dial 999 and ask for the police. If the police are unable to assist you can apply to the family courts for a non-molestation and/or occupation orders. The family courts are dealing with such matters urgently and are holding hearings by telephone.
A non-molestation order is to protect you from domestic abuse and can also be used to keep a person away from your home or workplace. It typically lasts for 6 to 12 months. If such order is breached, the perpetrator can be arrested and charged by the police for a criminal offence. In severe cases the punishment is 5 years imprisonment or he/she could be brought before the family court for contempt of court. An occupation order determines who lives in the family home. It can also be used to exclude a person from such property. When considering such applications, the court will consider all the circumstances but most importantly the harm the person making the application or any child is likely to suffer if such orders are not made.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse and require further assistance, then please contact our experienced family solicitor Pavinder Khela at our Stamford Office on (01780) 752 066 or by emailing pavinder.khela@hegarty.co.uk.
