Mayo Wynne Baxter Family Team are specialists in domestic abusive relationships.
We have a wealth of experience in advising and representing clients who have been the victims of domestic abuse. Our experience means that we have the skills to provide exceptional legal advice as to a range of options available to provide protection from an abusive relationship, some of which involve emergency applications.
As a result of the Covid pandemic there has been a significant rise in domestic abuse. Anyone can experience domestic abuse and it takes many differing forms, not just limited to physical violence.
Domestic abuse occurs when someone is harmed by another person with whom they have been in or are in a close relationship with, often this is a partner or spouse and not limited to heterosexual relationships nor to those living in the same property. Domestic abuse can be experienced by both men and women, children also if they have witnessed the abusive behaviour.
Domestic abuse can include but is not limited to physical abuse, including threats of violence and intimidation, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse and coercive control.
Physical abuse is also commonly referred to as domestic violence and is any form of violent behaviour including threats of violence and intimidation. Often this is the most easily identifiable form of abuse as there will be evidence in the form of physical harm.
Emotional abuse and psychological abuse can be harder to identify as there are often no tangible signs of the abuse. Emotional and psychological abuse is often verbal and is typically used to try to gain control and psychological power over the victim.
In December 2015 a new offence of controlling and/or coercive behaviour was introduced. Coercive behaviour is considered to be a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten a person. Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to subordinate, isolate, deprive of independence and resources and control everyday behaviour.
Gaslighting is a form of intimidation or psychological abuse where false information is deliberately presented to the victim in an attempt to get them to doubt their memory, perception and often sanity. Gaslighting is a highly manipulative form of abuse and is challenging to identify as again, there is often no obvious physical evidence.
The Family Team at Mayo Wynne Baxter have extensive experience in making and defending a range of emergency applications, such as non-molestation Orders and Occupation Orders. We offer a low fixed fee to guide you through the application process and complete the required forms on your behalf.
If you need assistance with domestic abuse issues or a family law matter, please do contact our experienced family team at Mayo Wynne Baxter by telephone on 0800 84 94 101.