International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s strength and achievements – but also to recognise the challenges many women still face when navigating separation, divorce and personal safety.

Over the course of this week, our Family Law team will be sharing a short series of blogs focused on empowerment through knowledge. Each piece is designed to help women better understand their legal rights, the protections available to them, and the steps they can take to move forward with clarity, confidence and choice.
Leaving Safely: Legal Steps Every Woman Should Know
International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate women’s strength, but it is also a moment to be honest about the barriers many women still face when trying to leave unsafe or controlling relationships.

For some women, leaving is not just emotionally difficult, it can feel dangerous. Fear about safety, housing, finances, and children can make it feel overwhelming to think about leaving. Often, women delay taking action because they don’t know what legal protection is available, or they assume help is out of reach.

Knowledge changes that. Planning increases safety.

The law in England & Wales provides important protective tools for women experiencing abuse and control, including non‑molestation orders and occupation orders. Understanding these options early can make a crucial difference.
If you feel in immediate danger, then the police are able to respond quickly to an emergency situation. The police have powers to issue a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) and apply for a Domestic Violence Protection order (DVPO). A DVPO can prevent the perpetrator of abuse from contacting the victim for up to 28 days, providing breathing space to enable victims to consider their options and take advice.

Non‑molestation orders are orders made in the Family Court and are designed to protect from abuse, whether physical, verbal, psychological, emotional or financial and including coercive and controlling behaviour and harassment. They can prevent a former partner from contacting or approaching you, and breaching such an order is a criminal offence.

Occupation orders deal with who can live in the family home and can provide stability at a critical time, even where the property is owned by one partner alone.

Many women worry about evidence or cost. Courts can consider a wide range of evidence, and legal aid is often available in cases involving domestic abuse.

Alongside legal support, organisations such as Refuge, IDAS, Women’s Aid and Rights of Women provide vital support, guidance and advice for women across England & Wales. Rights of Women also operate a free legal advice helpline 020 7251 6577. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached on 0808 2000 247.

This International Women’s Day, empowerment means ensuring women know their rights, their options, and where to turn for support.

Emma Hopkins Jones

Partner, Solicitor of the Family Team