Recently published figures suggest that for every three victims of domestic abuse, two will be female and one will be male. Yet, male victims are over three times as likely not to tell anyone about the abuse that they are suffering from.
Haley Farrell, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Family Care at Broudie Jackson Canter, discusses why this may be the case and how we can help:
Despite improvements in recent years in respect of an open and honest attitude both to mental health and gender stereotypes, a pervasive ‘toxic masculinity’ still exists in UK society. All too often male victims are coerced – either directly by a partner; or indirectly via societal pressures – to accept the abuse suffered. The connotations of ‘man up’ are both damaging and dangerous.
We can help you though. Domestic abuse carried out by anyone against another is not acceptable. The law applies to victims within both heterosexual and same-sex couples and intends not to discriminate on the basis of gender. You may also be eligible for legal aid.
Legal aid is available for protective orders. What orders are available?
- Non-molestation order - An order preventing your partner or ex-partner from using, or threatening violence against you or your child, or intimidating, harassing or pestering you. The purpose of this order is to ensure the health, safety and well-being of yourself and your children. The breach of a non-molestation order or injunction is a criminal offence, and carries a possible prison sentence.
- Occupation order - Usually an order made by the court to control who lives in a home and can be used to exclude those who use or threaten violence as well as perpetrators of sexual or psychological abuse. If a person breaches an occupation order, it is contempt of court. They can be brought before a judge and fined or imprisoned for breaching the terms of the order. A power of arrest can be attached to one or more of the provisions of the order. The court will usually attach a power of arrest if it appears that the respondent has used violence or threatened to use violence towards you.
These protective orders can only be granted for 'associated persons'. What does this mean?
Under the Family Law Act 1996, persons are deemed 'associated' if they fall under one of the following categories:
- They are, were or intend to be married to each other.
- They are, were or intend to be civil partners to each other.
- They are or were cohabitants
- They live or have lived in the same household in a familial relationship.
- They are relatives .
- They have or have had an intimate personal relationship of significant duration with each other.
- In relation to a child, they either:
- are a parent of the child; or
- have or have had parental responsibility for the child.
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by the issue discussed in this article, we can help. Please do not hesitate to send us a message or request a callback at your convenience to speak with our family law advisers confidentially.