TWO women are killed every week by a current or former partner in England and Wales, and there are over 10,000 reports of domestic abuse in Bradford alone, every year.

Jennifer Noel, Partner at Makin Dixon Solicitors in Bradford and a specialist in family law, explains the legal system to help people suffering from abuse.

She says: “Domestic abuse is sadly an issue that can arise in any relationship. Anyone can be a victim, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, age, social background or sexuality.

“However, while victims come in all shapes, sizes and creeds, I have discovered over the years that they do often have one thing in common – a lack of support for both themselves and their families at the most vulnerable time of their lives.

“Often victims have been suffering for years before finally seeking help. In some cases, it reaches critical levels before the victims decide to leave. On occasion, it ends in tragedy when the victim is killed.

“Fortunately, in recent years there has been progress in the way domestic abuse is viewed and dealt with in the UK and we now see partners, such as social services, local authorities, police, NHS, help organisations and charities, working more closely together to reduce incidents and to bring perpetrators to justice.

“Of course, there is always room for improvement, and there is still much for people to learn. Public awareness must continue to reduce the stigma and embarrassment around abuse in the home, and this is particularly true where men are the victims, and many feel unable to come forward.

“Domestic abuse doesn’t just affect the victim themselves but, of course, also the children.

“It’s a sad fact that some 25per cent of children in the UK have been exposed to domestic abuse and in 90% of domestic abuse cases, children were in the same room or the next room.

“Alarmingly, just under two thirds of children in domestic abuse households are directly harmed by the perpetrator, too. The impact on these youngsters will probably live with them for many years and we must ensure things are in place, such as counselling, to help them recover, understand that they are not to blame, and prevent it becoming a learned behaviour that they go on to repeat as adults.

“The figures make for sad reading, with statistics pointing towards a rise in domestic violence. However, this could be down to increased public knowledge and a higher media profile, resulting in a greater number of cases being reported, rather than a growing trend of abuse.

“And there has also been the introduction of Clare’s Law – a scheme allowing police to disclose details of someone’s abusive past to their new partners – and the rolling out of new criminal offences around coercive control.

“We also cannot ignore the fact that poverty is on the rise and there is a direct link between incidents of domestic abuse and deprivation.

“Of course, we must also remember that domestic abuse doesn’t necessarily involve physical contact. It could be emotional or mental abuse, from preventing contact with friends and family to humiliation, financial control, threatening behaviour or using the children to gain more control.

“Some people may have been living in an abusive relationship for years unaware that the Family Law Act 1996 is there to protect them and that protective orders, such as the Non-Molestation Order, can be obtained to safeguard themselves and their children.

“Breaching an order is a criminal offence, reportable to the police for enforcement through the criminal courts. If the police fail to enforce the order, it can be returned to the Family Court and is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine.

“An Occupation Order under the Family Law Act 1996 can also determine who lives in the family home and can exclude the perpetrator.

“Non-Molestation Orders can be obtained without notice and without the abuser’s knowledge, enabling the court to put protection in place beforehand.

What to do if you think you are in an abusive relationship:

* Seek help to get yourself and your family to a safe place, with family, friends or refuge.

* Seek out domestic abuse support within your area.

* Report the abuse to police and also your GP, if appropriate.

* Seek legal advice from a family law specialist regarding protective orders.

“If someone is being abused by a partner, the most important thing is that they go to a place of safety immediately and seek assistance, taking their children with them.”

* For domestic abuse assistance call Staying Put (Bradford) on 0808 2800 999, Keighley Domestic Violence Services on 01535 210999, or the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

* For legal advice about domestic abuse, contact Jennifer at Jennifer.noel@makindixon.co.uk or on (01274) 747747 or visit solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk

*This Legal Expert column has been produced in conjunction with the Law Society.