Domestic Violence can affect people from all walks of life.  Statistics show that woman are more often the victims but the reality is that men are too.  Often people are blinded by love, fear or insecurity to notice the effect on their own life and sometimes their children’s lives.

Many people get told they will lose their child/ren if they tell or that they will be thrown out into the street with nothing.

A threat to take the child/ren away from you is a common one too.

As a lawyer I see many people who do not even know they are being abused.   Ask yourself am I an equal partner financially in this relationship or is someone else always controlling what I spend.  Ask yourself do I get accused of looking and flirting with someone else?

Do I get called names that make me feel bad, do I get yelled at in front of my children and/or friends?  Am I run down as being clumsy, no good, and useless?  Does my partner keep secrets from me?  Like how much they earn? Or what their money spent on? If this is the case, alarm bells should be going off by now.

These are all forms of domestic violence and you need to talk to domestic violence centre or agency and it would be worthwhile talking with a lawyer to see what your rights are.

Domestic violence is defined by the Domestic Violence Act 1995 as including:

Physical abuse: behaviours like punching, slapping or kicking a person.

Sexual abuse: any unwanted sexual contact/touching.

Psychological abuse: for example stalking a person, damaging property, threatening violence or abuse, harassing, scaring, or intimidating a person.  It can include trying to control someone’s life by constantly humiliating them or controlling someone’s money, time, car or contact with friends and family as a way of having power over them.  If the respondent allows any children to witness the domestic violence this is psychological abuse against them.

A person who wants protection from domestic violence can apply for a protection order through the Family Court.  The Family Court can make temporary protection order, usually on the same day, if the situation is urgent.  If the application is not urgent, the respondent will have the opportunity to tell their side of the story before the Family Court makes a final protection order. AKM Law can support you through this process.

Do not let the idea of finances scare you off knowing when it comes to knowing what your rights are.  We are legal aid providers and in many instances you may be entitled to a grant of legal aid.

Call us now on (09) 869 2097 or contact us via our contact page