Domestic Violence and Johnny Depp- What We Can Learn

by Ridley & Hall in Divorce, Domestic Violence, Family & Matrimonial, Ridley & Hall, Ridley & Hall Solicitors, Vicky Medd posted June 10, 2016.

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The stormy marriage of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has hit the headlines recently. There are allegations that Depp tried to suffocate Heard with a pillow. Heard also applied for a restraining order against her husband in a Los Angeles court. Heard alleged that Depp had violently attacked her on a Saturday night in their penthouse apartment. There have been subsequent photographs submitted to the court showing Heard with a large bruise on her face, as well as picture of broken bottles, picture frames and shattered glass on the floor.

The media reaction to these allegations has been quite striking. Some newspapers and public reaction seems to be that Heard was trying to secure a premature financial resolution by making the allegations of abuse and therefore was not to be believed. It is only recently, since the pictures of her sporting a bruise were published that sympathy now seems to be turning towards Heard.

Vicky Medd, Head of the Family Department at Ridley & Hall stated “ Domestic abuse is defined in English Law as any incident or pattern of incidents, of a controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (whether psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between individuals who are associated with each other. Many survivors of domestic violence say that they could cope with the physical violence but found the torment and mental abuse from their partners as being most damaging. For some victims of domestic violence, it can take months, even years, to deal with the physiological trauma of having been through domestic violence. Here at Ridley & Hall, we always try and deal sympathetically with client’s and try to put ourselves in their shoes. For suffers of domestic violence, we do try and offer a warm and friendly service where clients feel that their voice is being heard.”

If you d Vicky Medd o need to apply to the court for a non-molestation order, Legal Aid is available. However, because they are required to pay a monthly contribution if their income is above a certain level, some clients find even with Legal Aid, it is cheaper to pay privately for injunctions.