Grandparents’ rights to see grandchildren
One of the common misconceptions surrounding family law is that grandparents have an inherent or automatic right to see or
Domestic abuse: legal support and protection for you
If you are in immediate danger, call the police – dial 999. Protect yourself and your family with clear, confidential legal support.
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We don’t just look after you, we look out for you. That means we bring you insights, advice and keep you up to date on all kinds of legal matters so you can keep ahead.
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We match a member of the team with the right expertise to every client, who will invest time getting to know you, who will look after your interests and ensure you have access to the whole firm when you need it.
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The legal and financial matters might be complex, but we aim to keep things straightforward and explain everything in terms that are relevant to you.
Overview
Do not suffer in silence. You can get protection from domestic abuse and harassment with support from our family law team.
Confront abuse in all its forms with help from our legal experts
Domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence. It can include coercive control, emotional abuse, financial abuse, stalking and isolation. If you are the victim of domestic abuse, we can help you.
It can happen within a relationship or from someone who isn’t your partner. Domestic abuse can affect both adults and children, through either witnessing it happen or experiencing it themselves.
Getting help may feel difficult, but early domestic abuse legal advice can help you stay safe and understand your options.
Your safety is the priority
If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999.
Where abuse involves violence or the threat of violence, the first step is to keep yourself safe. We provide domestic abuse legal advice to help protect you and your children. This may include applying for court orders to restrict contact or remove the abuser from your home.
View our fixed-fee family law consultation page – we offer compassionate, expert guidance from an experienced solicitor, focused on you and your next steps.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is a form of domestic abuse and a criminal offence. If you are concerned, seek help as soon as possible. Cyberstalking or technology-enabled monitoring has been made easier using location services on smartphones and the availability of spyware. It can cause distress and in some cases fear of violence. There are various ways to help protect yourself from cyberstalking:
- Break any digital links with your ex-partner such as shared passwords or PINs.
- Turn off location services on your phone and within apps.
- Change passwords on all your digital accounts, including social media, banks etc.
- Update cloud settings.
- Change device settings.
Read our article on how to reduce the risk of tech abuse.
Financial protection if you’ve experienced domestic abuse
You may also need financial protection if you have experienced domestic abuse. We can advise on financial arrangements during divorce or separation, helping you secure stability as you move forward.
We also advise unmarried couples on financial remedies and protective measures.
Tees has a fantastic family law team who are dedicated to their clients. Highly personable, confident and skilled solicitors who clearly seek (and do) understand their client's problems.
Legal protection from abuse with court orders
In cases where the police are not involved, most situations can be managed by an occupation order or non-molestation order. These orders place restrictions on the abuser, for example, preventing them from living in your house or contacting you. These court orders can help protect you:
- Non-Molestation Order – to stop an abuser from intimidating, harassing, threatening physical violence or attacking their victim. A court can prohibit the abuser from communicating with their victim or encouraging others to threaten or intimidate them. It can also prevent the abuser from coming within a given distance of the home, workplace or school of the victim or their children. Breaching the order is an arrestable offence.
- Occupation Order – this specifies who can live in the family home. The abuser can be evicted and banned from visiting or approaching the family home.
- Prohibited Steps Order – to prevent someone with parental responsibility for a child from taking them away from an abuse victim’s care and control. This is often used when there is a fear of the child being taken and not returned home.
- Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) – this can be served by police on an alleged abuser who may be considered a risk to someone in the family home. The person it’s served on has to leave the home. It lasts for 48 hours, but can be extended by magistrates for up to 28 days.
- Restraining Order – this can be imposed at the end of criminal proceedings even if the person on trial has been found not guilty.
Supporting you to move forward
Get help and support from our domestic violence and abuse legal team on all issues including:
- advice to keep you safe
- protection for children
- occupation orders
- non-molestation orders
- financial protection
- cyberstalking.
Contact us today
Please complete this form and one of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Tees Law does not provide Legal Aid. You can find more information here about Legal Aid and eligibility requirements.
Telephone
Legal and financial advice
We have a team of in-house independent financial advisers who work closely with our lawyers to deliver all the advice you need. Our IFAs are regulated and authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, which means we are accountable for all the advice we give.
Our clients range from high-net-worth individuals with complex finances to those with more straightforward needs. We also specialise in the agricultural sector, having a sound understanding of the relationship between business and personal needs.
We’re here to help
If you want a lawyer to take a closer look at your situation, our family and divorce lawyers are based in:
- Cambridgeshire: Cambridge
- Essex: Chelmsford, and Saffron Walden
- Hertfordshire: Bishop’s Stortford and North Herts
But we can help you wherever you are in England and Wales.
Our experience in domestic abuse
Eight signs someone is being gaslighted and the UK law explained
Gaslighting is a hidden but deeply damaging form of domestic abuse that can leave victims doubting their own memory, perception and sanity. In this article, we uncover eight key warning signs of gaslighting and explain how UK law recognises coercive and controlling behaviour — and how our family law solicitors can help you seek protection and support.
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Frequently asked questions
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Domestic abuse and coercive behaviour FAQs
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse or domestic violence can include any incident of threatening behaviour or violence and is a criminal offence. Types of domestic abuse include:
- Physical abuse/violence
- Emotional abuse
- Financial abuse/control
- Psychological abuse
- Sexual abuse.
What is Controlling or Coercive Behaviour?
Controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships is a criminal offence where the behaviour has a serious effect on the victim. Examples of controlling or coercive behaviour can include acts of domestic violence, but also includes:
- Isolating a person from their friends or family
- Depriving them of this basic needs
- Monitoring their time
- Monitoring them via online communication tools
- Taking control over aspects of their everyday life
- Repeatedly putting them down
- Enforcing rules and activity which humiliates and degrades
What is an Occupation Order?
An occupation order is a type of order that the court can make, that regulates who is entitled to live in a property. An occupation order can:
- Exclude someone from the home altogether,
- Restrict the right of someone to live in the home
- Regulate how the home is used – setting out who can use which parts of the home and when
- Define who is responsible to maintain the home
- Who should pay rent, mortgage instalments, other outgoings and bills
- Who should keep the home and contents secure.
What is a Non-Molestation Order?
A non-molestation order prohibits someone from behaving in a certain way towards another person. Each non-molestation order will be tailored to address individual circumstances. If you have applied for a non-molestation order it can, among other things:
- Forbid violence against you
- Prohibit someone coming within specified distance of you, your home or your place of work
- Prohibit someone from communicating with you, except through your solicitors.
What evidence do I need to prove domestic abuse?
Evidence can include:
Police reports or crime reference numbers
Medical records
Photographs of injuries or damage
Witness statements
Text messages, emails, or social media messages
Evidence of controlling financial arrangements
However, you do not need perfect evidence before seeking advice. Our specialist solicitor’s can help assess your situation and advise on next steps.
How does domestic abuse affect child arrangements?
The family court must prioritise a child’s welfare. Allegations of domestic abuse are taken seriously and may affect:
Whether contact is supervised
Where a child lives
Parental responsibility decisions
The court considers the impact of abuse on both the child and the non-abusive parent.
What should I do if I am in immediate danger?
If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day. Visit GOV.UK for further information.
If it is safe to do so, seek legal advice as soon as possible to explore protective court orders.
