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Campaign

Duncan Lewis Solicitors Launch Give Children a Voice: Domestic Violence Campaign 2016 (3 October 2016)

Date: 03/10/2016



Domestic abuse is an issue that affects a large number of the UK population. The Crime Survey for England and Wales in 2014/2015 estimated 1.3 million females and 600,000 males experienced some form of domestic abuse¹.

Domestic violence is defined as "any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality"².

Domestic violence occurs regardless of gender, race, background, age, sexuality or disability and it can take place between heterosexual or LGBTQ couples, girlfriends and boyfriends that live together and flatmates/lodgers. It can include harassment from a former partner, abusive relationships between parents and children or between siblings, abusive behaviour against elderly family members, female genital mutilations (FGM) and forced marriages.

Domestic Violence is not simply a black eye or a broken arm. Those suffering can experience a broad spectrum of life threatening and intimidating behaviours including emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse/injury, verbal abuse, financial abuse, controlling behaviour, psychological abuse, stalking, harassment, intimidation and criminal damage to property.

While there are a staggering amount of reported individuals who suffer from domestic abuse, the grave reality is that this figure is much higher as many of those suffering from domestic abuse either do not realise that they are, are too afraid to reach out for help, or feel they do not have a voice to speak up.

In support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2016, Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ launches their Give Children a Voice campaign and a powerful video, Charlie’s Weekend, which aims to raise awareness of the crime, help break the silence of the children affected by domestic abuse and let survivors know that Legal Aid is available for most domestic violence cases.
At the centre of the campaign is the Charlie’s Weekend video which depicts the narrative of young Charlie in his classrooms answering the question posed by his teacher; “What’s everyone’s weekend news?" His character’s experiences of domestic abuse at home contrast to those of his classmates, demonstrating the emotional and alienating effects upon children growing up in this situation.

Charlie’s Weekend highlights two key issues:

  1. The impact domestic violence has on children
    The tendency to perceive domestic abuse as purely an issue between two individuals is a flawed view; children of all ages can be affected in many ways by living in this situation. Residing in an unsafe household is a form of child abuse even if the child is not directly harmed by the perpetrator. It is commonly understood that there are serious and long term effects on children that witness domestic abuse and they may exhibit physical symptoms associated with trauma and stress, including eczema, bed-wetting, nightmares and sleep disturbances. They may also sustain physical injuries such as direct assaults by the perpetrator and whilst trying to protect a loved one during an attack. Domestic abuse can have emotional effects on a child, including feelings of fear and anxiety, as well as guilt and responsibility for the abuse suffered by their parents or siblings. Children who have witnessed domestic abuse at home also often describe feelings of extreme sadness and low self-esteem. Along with the physical, social and emotional effects of domestic abuse children can also develop behavioural problems. Some children may experience ‘externalising’ problems, for example, they may become aggressive or ‘act out’. Other children may develop ‘internalising’ problems, for example, they may become introverted or withdrawn³.

    Protecting their children is typically the victim’s main concern and Duncan Lewis Solicitors expert Family and Childcare Solicitors can advise on:
    • Child abuse cases
    • Subsequent child contact requests by the perpetrator
    • Legal action to prevent further harm in urgent cases where there is immediate risk of domestic abuse or child abuse
    • Where there is social services involvement with a family

  2. Legal Aid is available for most domestic violence cases
    Recent case law sparked the change in permitting domestic violence evidence to be provided within 5 years as opposed to 2 years, which means that more survivors of domestic violence will have access to advice and representation in the Family Courts. However, this still creates an unreasonable assumption that the effects of domestic abuse are time limited. The result is that the victims of domestic violence who cannot provide evidence within 5 years do not qualify for Legal Aid and are therefore, often left without legal representation, directly facing their perpetrator in court over important and emotional issues.

    Being a leading provider of Legal Aid, Duncan Lewis Solicitors can advise on applying for Legal Aid for domestic abuse/child abuse cases and on valid evidence to show that domestic violence has occurred, or parents have received a Pre-proceedings Letter from Social Services following a Section 47 enquiry.
    Some areas of Family law are now out of scope for Legal Aid unless you can prove domestic violence occurred.

    Some of the valid evidence to prove domestic violence includes:
    • GP letter or letter from a health professional
    • Police crime number or letter from police
    • Letter from a domestic abuse service such as MARAC, REFUGE
    • Evidence from a housing officer
    • Non-Molestation Order

    However, you do not need any of the above evidence to apply for a Non-Molestation Order/Injunction.


Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Childcare Director and member of the Law Society’s Children’s Panel, Kathy Walker, urges victims to step forward and ask for the firm’s help – “We are here to help you stand up to the abuse you and your children have been subjected to. What perpetrators do is wrong and it is important that victims know it is wrong. The children are often the forgotten victims and unless the adult victim steps forward and asks for help (from support agencies and lawyers) the child will be further damaged (psychologically) and the recovery period will take longer to overcome. The quicker the victim takes steps, the easier the recovery will be. If a victim is able to attain the required documentation, we will endeavour to obtain Legal Aid and represent them at all hearings – if not eligible, we can also offer fixed fees to get victims help."

Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors – Help for Domestic Violence Victims

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is ranked by the Legal 500 2014 for its Family & Matrimonial work and our team includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, and members of the Law Society Children Panel. Therefore, our Domestic Violence Solicitors and Childcare Solicitors have the necessary expertise to help victims of domestic violence take action to prevent abuse or harassment.
Under the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004 (DVCVA) Duncan Lewis Solicitors can assist in getting a court ordered Non-molestation Order and/or an Occupation order to prevent further abuse and intimidation. If a court order is granted, any breach of the order by an abuser may result in them being jailed by the court.

Duncan Lewis advises on Family law and Childcare law under UK law and Islamic law to protect all those that may be affected by the perpetrator’s abuse.

For confidential and expert legal help with domestic violence, call the Duncan Lewis Domestic Violence Solicitors Helpline on 0800 689 3275.

Meet Duncan Lewis Family and Childcare Directors

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