Domestic Abuse Reports Have Risen 31% in Two Years

by Ridley & Hall in Domestic Violence, Family & Matrimonial, James Clarkson, Johanna Allen, Ridley & Hall Solicitors, Shahida Karim, Vicky Medd posted December 15, 2015.

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Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has yesterday announced that reports of domestic abuse have increased by 31% in the last two years.

Yesterday’s report states that “in the 12 months to March 2015, the police service in England and Wales received more than 900,000 calls about domestic abuse – an average of over 100 calls an hour. Domestic abuse-related crime constituted 10 percent of all recorded crime, and represented a third of all recorded assault with injury crimes.” There is a fear that police forces are overwhelmed by the sheer number of reported cases and are struggling to deal with them as effectively.

The report follows one made in March 2014 which detailed “significant weaknesses in how forces keep victims safe and support them through the criminal justice process.”

James Clarkson, trainee solicitor in the Family department at Ridley & Hall says, “It is widely believed that domestic violence is one of the most under-reported crimes that takes place. Hopefully the sharp increase in reports to the police represents victims being more confident about reporting the abuse.”

We can assist with:

non-molestation orders, which forbid abusers from using or threatening physical violence, intimidation, harassment or pestering, communicating with you (if appropriate) as well as instructing or encouraging others to do so;

occupation orders, which suspend rights to occupy or visit the property, evict abusers from the home, prevent abusers from returning and can also provide up to 100 metres of protection around the home;

prohibited steps orders, which forbid someone from taking your child away from your care and control. This order is particularly appropriate when the abuser who is ordinarily allowed to have care and control over the children is threatening to take them away.

Ridley & Hall was recently listed as the highest ranking family team in Huddersfield for 2015 in the Legal 500. Please see our webpage for further information on how we can assist you if you are the victim of domestic violence or call us on 01484 538421.