Cirencester Scene Magazine - Supporting Local Businesses
• a conviction in themind of the victimthat everything was her/his “fault”
• an unwillingness to believe or accept that the behaviour of the perpetrator was unacceptable and abnormal
• a removal of contact between the victim and her/his friends and family
• an increasing feeling of paranoia • an inability to talk about the problem
Can children be affected by
witnessing domestic abuse? It is now well established that children exposed, even indirectly, to domestic abuse can be adverse- ly affected. Indeed, social services departments often regard domestic abuse between parents as being one of the primary reasons to consider safeguarding measures for children.
It is not only the potential for physical involve- ment in the future which can harmchildren. It is also the fact that children who have seen parents behave in that way, can assimilate such behaviour into their own views of how domestic life is or can be lived. Thus there is fed a vicious and perpetuat- ing circle of abuse extending from one generation to the next.
What can I do if I am a victim?
Most victims of domestic abuse feel ashamed, although of course nothing they have done can ever justify such a response from their partner. It can take much bravery on the part of the victimto take active steps for their own protection and that of the children.
Police
Domestic abuse is a crime. The Police will take reports of such behaviour seriously.Whether or not a prosecution will follow usually depends on the evidence that is available.
Consult Alison Fielden & Co
There is a range of laws which are available to protect victims of domestic abuse. These include the obtaining of:
• a family court injunction directed to the perpe- trator ordering that behaviour to cease.
• an order requiring the perpetrator to move out of the family home • an order preventing the perpetrator fromen-
Cirencester Scene Magazine 01285 659673 / 07875 071555
info@cirencester-scene.co.uk 23
tering into an area close to the family home, the work place of the victim or the school attended by the children
• an order preventing the perpetrator from removing the children from the care of the other parent except on terms set out in the court order
• an order regulating where the children are to live.
A breach of any such orders could lead to arrest and criminal conviction, with the possibility of a custodial sentence. Alternatively, the perpetrator could be sent to prison by the family court.
At Alison Fielden & Co, both Heather Weavill and Steven Barratt have many years experience dealing with such cases, telephone 01285 653261, legal aidmay be available.
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