Protection from Domestic Abuse: Your Legal Rights

Domestic violence is very common. It can begin at any stage of a relationship, and may continue long after the marriage or relationship has ended.

Abuse can take many forms, not just physical attacks but also many other forms of controlling behaviour: bullying, forced sex, threats to kill, threats to hurt children, forced isolation from friends or family, and mental and verbal abuse and humiliation.

You have a right to live free from violence and fear. You may feel frightened, humiliated, ashamed, alone and confused - but you are not to blame. If you do not feel safe in your own home, this page will tell you about some of your legal rights to protection from violence, and the help and support that is available.

What options do I have for getting protection from violence?

If you are frightened of someone you know or live with, then you have a right to be protected under the law. There are a number of ways in which you can get help. Being assaulted by someone you know or live with is just as much a crime under the criminal law as violence from a stranger. You have a right to protection from the police and the courts.

You can apply for a court order to tell your abuser to stop harassing or hurting you, or to keep him out of, or away from, your home.

If you are too frightened to stay at home, you can get help with emergency or temporary accommodation.

The law can also help to protect your children and help you make safe arrangements for child contact.

Community Legal Service funding (formerly called “Legal Aid”) may be available to you if you qualify financially and allows you to obtain free or subsidised advice from a specialist adviser. To find out the names of local Quality-Marked organisations who conduct CLS-funded work contact CLS on 0845 3454345 or click onto the Community Legal Service website.