BSL - Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse - practical advice

Domestic abuse includes all kinds of behaviour that is meant to hurt or frighten you. It can mean hitting and slapping or cruel words and threats that are meant to scare you. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. This film answers some common question about domestic abuse, and outlines how you can use the law to protect yourself from abuse.

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Transcript

Chapters

My partner is abusing me. What can I do?
What if I want to leave my partner?
Where will I live?
What if I have to leave my children?
What if I had to leave everything behind?
Will I get help if this has happened before?
What if I don't have any money?
What if my money is in a joint bank account?
How can the law help me?
How do I get a court order?
How do I find a solicitor?
What if I can't afford a solicitor?
Where can I get help and advice?

My partner is abusing me. What can I do?

My partner is abusing me - what can I do?

You don't have to put up with abuse or the threat of abuse from anyone.

There are laws to protect you and your children.

If you or your children have been injured, or if your partner is threatening to hurt you, call the police.

If you don't need to call the police or you don't want to,

contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline.

Calls are free, and you can call any time of the day or night.

The helpline will be able to give you practical advice and support

to help you decide what you should do.

This may be to: - leave your partner or

- use the law to stop them abusing you or make them stay away from you.

What if I want to leave my partner?

If you feel you have nowhere to go and no one who can help you,

contact the free 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline.

If you don't need to leave your home urgently, prepare for a planned escape,

so you're ready to leave later if you need to. Things you should take are:

- money

- personal items, such as clothes and toiletries

- your passport (and if you have children, take theirs as well)

- benefit books or details

- your National lnsurance number

- bank details

- any other personal identification, such as an official letter addressed to you at your home, and if possible,

a photo you have of your partner.

If you are taking your children with you, you should also take their passports

and health records, and some books and toys.

If your money is in a joint account with your partner,

try to set up a separate bank account before you leave, if you have time to.

Where will I live?

You may be able to stay with friends or family - but this may not feel safe enough,

or you may not want to involve them.

You could contact your local housing authority to see if they can find you a temporary home.

Housing authorities' numbers are listed in the phone book under your local council's listings.

Most areas also have women's refuges that offer temporary housing to women and their children.

The staff in a refuge will give you advice and support and help you work out what to do next.

You will be able to stay there until you can find somewhere safe to live.

Refuges do not print their addresses or phone numbers,

so your partner will not be able to find you if you don't want them to.

The organisations Refuge and Women's Aid can give you details of refuges in your area

- their details are at the end of this programme.

What if I have to leave my children?

If you or your children are in danger, it may be safer for you all just to get out of the home with whatever you can grab.

Don't panic; make sure you are safe first.

Then contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline as soon as you can.

If you have to leave your children, you will not lose your rights as a parent.

But it is important that you see a solicitor as soon as possible,

so you can take steps to get back to your children (if you want to).

What if I had to leave everything behind?

If you have had to leave in a rush and need to go back home to get important things,

but are scared of your partner, contact the police. They will normally find someone to go with you.

Will I get help if this has happened before?

You can still get help and take action, even if you're partner has abused you before.

You can get protection even if you have already had help and then got together with your partner.

Don't be afraid to ask for help again over problems with your partner. The law is still there to protect you.

What if I don't have any money?

If you can, set up a separate bank account before you leave your home.

If you don't have any money of your own, call your local JobCentre Plus.

You may be able to get a 'crisis loan' if you need it,

and you can apply for Income Support at the same time.

You may be able to get other benefits,

depending on things such as what income you have and whether you have children.

For many types of benefit, you must apply at a Jobcentre Plus. Even if you already receive some benefits, there may be others you could get.

To find out about the different benefits you might be able to receive and whether you would be entitled to them,

ask at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Or if you have internet access, you can find out about benefits from the website of the Department for Work and Pensions.

What if my money is in a joint bank account?

If your money is in a joint account with your partner,

think about asking the bank to put a stop on the account so that your partner cannot take out money without you.

However, this will mean you can't get money out either,

so before you do this make sure you have enough for the time being.

How can the law help me?

There are several ways the law can protect you if you've been abused by your partner.

If your partner has injured you or your children, you should tell the police.

They may arrest him or her and charge them with assault.

If your partner is released on bail, the police can stop them coming back to the home for the time being, and stop them contacting the

children. Even if you haven't been injured, you can also get an order from the court to stop your partner abusing you.

Court orders can say, that your partner must not bother or threaten you,

or must stay away from your home.

If your partner breaks the terms of a court order, they could be arrested.

How do I get a court order?

If you think you need a court order to protect you (and your children),

you will usually need to see a solicitor.

They will explain how court orders work, and can apply for one for you.

A solicitor can also tell you about other possible ways

of stopping your partner abusing or threatening you.

How do I find a solicitor?

You will need to find a solicitor who specialises in 'family' law,

as they will know about the laws on relationships.

You can find solicitors through:

- Yellow Pages;

- the Law Society;

- Resolution, an organisation for solicitors who specialise in family law.

Phone numbers and email addresses are at the end of this programme.

What if I can't afford a solicitor?

If you can't afford a solicitor, you may be able to receive legal aid to pay for the cost of your case.

This will depend on your case and if you need a solicitor to apply to the court for you.

You may have to pay some of the costs.

To find out whether you might be able to receive legal aid,

visit the Community Legal Advice website, or call Community Legal Advice.

If you can get legal aid, Community Legal Advice can also give you names

of solicitors in your area who take legal aid cases and specialise in family law.

Where can I get help and advice?

All of these contact details are included at the end of the programme.

Freephone 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge.

The websites of Women's Aid and Refuge have advice, links and contacts for women.

For information about welfare benefits and how to claim them visit:

- your nearest JobCentre Plus (listed in the phone book); or

- the Department for Work and Pensions website.

To read more about how the law can protect you from domestic abuse - get these two free leaflets:

- 'Domestic Violence, Abuse and Harassment: your rights to protection'

published by Community Legal Advice, which you can download from the website or by calling the CLA

and 'Domestic violence - Financial control, emotional abuse',

published by the Home Office, which you can download from www.crimereduction.gov.uk.

To find a solicitor who specialises in family law,

contact The Law Society, the organisation that represents solicitors in England and Wales.

Resolution - an organisation for lawyers that specialises in family law.