Domestic violence, injunctions & harassment law

Domestic violence, abuse and harassment are extremely serious and upsetting issues, with some forms of domestic abuse being categorised as a crime in the UK.

As such, if you or your children are subject to domestic violence or harassment from someone you are connected to, you are entitled to protection from harm and any further risk of violence or threatening behaviour.

Emergency help for domestic violence and harassment

If you are experiencing domestic violence or harassment, you should take urgent action to protect yourself and any children from harm.

In an emergency, call 999. We also recommend contacting the National Domestic Violence helpline, available 24 hours a day on 0800 2000 247 or the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 8010327

Our team is here to offer you domestic violence legal help and we are committed to supporting you and your individual needs.

Our specialist domestic violence and harassment solicitors look after clients across Sussex, with offices in Brighton, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, East Grinstead, Lewes, Peacehaven, Seaford and Storrington, as well as London.

What is domestic violence and harassment?

Domestic violence and abuse can happen within a range of close or family relationships, such as between partners (current or former), spouses and family members, to people of all genders and sexual orientations.

Forms of abuse, violence and harassment include:

• Violent and/or threatening behaviour
• Physical and/or sexual abuse
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse
• Coercive behaviour such as humiliation or intimidation
• Controlling behaviour – such as making someone feel less important, restricted in their freedom or dependent on the perpetrator
• Economic abuse which includes controlling how someone can earn or spend money, and their possessions
• Harassment and stalking
• Female genital mutilation
• Forced marriage and ‘honour-based’ abuse
• Trafficking

What can the Law do?

An individual experiencing domestic violence has strengthened support and protection from perpetrators, including provisions for tailored protection of victims of abuse in family courts.

The relevant legislation that covers this is:

• The Family Law Act 1996 – relating to non-molestation orders and occupation orders for protection from domestic violence and abuse.
• The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – this made harassment a criminal offence and provides for restraining orders for protection from further harassment.
• The Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 – provisions for Forced Marriage Protection Orders and assistance for those already in forced marriages.
• The Sexual Offences Act 2003 – provides a comprehensive legal framework for prosecuting sexual offences, including those that occur within the context of domestic abuse.
• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 – created a statutory definition of domestic abuse.

If you are experiencing domestic violence or harassment you have a right to legal help, rights to help with housing, finances, protecting your children, certain government benefits and rights to privacy. Our team can help.

Domestic violence, harassment and injunctions

There are a number of Family Law Orders (injunctions) that can be made by the court to protect anyone who has been the subject of domestic violence or repeated harassment.

Our solicitors will advise you whether an application to the court should be made without notice or with short notice, which Order is right for you and can help to ensure any applications are made quickly.

Court orders

The following Orders can be made by the court following an application.

• Non-molestation Order – this will help prevent the perpetrator carrying out certain acts, which may include but is not limited to harming or threatening you, contacting you and/or coming within a certain distance of you and your home. A Non-molestation Order carries an automatic power of arrest and generally lasts for 12 months.
• Occupation Order – this determines who can occupy your home, which may include the exclusion of your partner/spouse. If there is a reason why one person can not leave, this Order can set out rules to enable a property to be shared.

Contact us today for domestic violence legal advice If you are a victim of domestic violence or harassment, contact one of our domestic violence solicitors urgently and we will ensure swift action is taken to protect your safety and wellbeing.