What is Domestic Abuse?

Domestic abuse is any abuse that happens in a family or personal relationship, where one person bullies, threatens, hurts or controls the other. Domestic abuse affects both men and women and can be harmful to children.

The UK government defines domestic violence as:

Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

    Need Help?
    Contact us now

    Call us for a chat on: 0330 024 5750
    Or we can call you back:

    Emergency?

    Call us on our 24h emergency helpline
    0845 450 5616

    Our Offices

    Sheffield | Rotherham | Barnsley | Doncaster | Chesterfield | Leeds | Boston | London

    Types of domestic abuse

    • Physical abuse – violence such as punching, kicking, biting, burning, choking, spitting, slapping and throwing objects.
    • Emotional abuse – constant criticism, threats to you, your children or your family, putting you down in front of others, accusing you of lying, sulking, cheating, verbal abuse and name calling.
    • Sexual abuse – sex or sexual acts against your will or in ways that make you feel uncomfortable or degraded.
    • Financial abuse – not allowing you to have money, spending food money, running up debts in your name.
    • Forced marriage and honour based violence – you marry someone against your will, being bullied and controlled to protect the family’s reputation.
    • Stalking & Harassment – obsessive jealousy, following and checking up on you, embarrassing you in public.

    If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you may feel frightened or ashamed, but many people are and have been in your position. It is not your fault and you are not alone. There is a lot of help and support available, from people who will believe you and who understand how devastating abuse can be.

    If you are concerned for your own safety, or the safety of a child/children, please contact us immediately. We know that many people are fearful of the repercussions of seeking legal advice. We have an experienced team who you can talk to in the strictest confidence and who will be able to assist you in accessing appropriate protective legal measures.

    We can apply for emergency protective orders such as injunctions, and if you need us urgently we have a 24 hour emergency line on 0845 450 5616.

    If you feel you are at immediate risk of harm you should always dial 999

    What our clients say

    Gill Noury is an excellent International Family Law Senior Legal Advisor. As my international child abduction case progressed in 2014 to a fortunate consent order after 5 months of intense legal battle I realized she was highly experienced and hands on. She not only provided me very good legal advice, but was also very sympathetic to my distraught situation. She was accessible all the times I needed to communicate with her or needed her personal support. She was at the same time very professional and demonstrated high integrity and human values. I found these attributes scarce in UK’s legal practitioner.

    We run a legal surgery here at our advice and drop in centre specifically for our clients who have experienced domestic abuse. A&N have been a constant support to this surgery over the year providing an invaluable service, they have been committed to the provision of legal aid advice and pro bono clinics and as such have enhanced the service provision which we are able to offer to our clients.

    Strategic Head of Service
    Derbyshire Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Service

    Helen was absolutely fantastic, the case was long and difficult but Helen was there for me when I needed her on the telephone and at court. She didn’t beat about the bush and gave me constructive criticism which I appreciated. My kids are now safely home with me where they belong and they love the teddies you sent for them. It was a really lovely thought, Thank you for everything.

    Liz Newbold & Her team were great from the very first phone call to the final court date, they did nothing but help whether it was a phone call or an email they got back to you as soon as they could. They were there for support when you needed it the most and they always put there all into every court date we had. I couldn’t have asked for a better solicitors to handle my case regarding my child. It was great to finally get victory and show we were not guilty, we couldn’t have achieved what we have done today without the help of Liz Newbold and her team of highly specialised solicitors and I am forever thankful for everything they have done for me and my family.

    I’ve been working with A&N Care Solicitors since I was in PLO. I was in an OK place, then an incident occurred in July 2014 which resulted in the local authority taking away my child in to care. She went up for adoption last year in March but I kept fighting with the help of A&N care solicitors and did all that was asked. I fell pregnant and thought I couldn’t keep it, but nope, my solicitors and I kept fighting and I’ve had my daughter return from birth home. It’s resulted in my older daughter coming home too and not being adopted. I really have to say though without the help of Natalie and Ruth from A&N Care I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would recommend these to anybody if you are fighting for your children. Thank you very much A&N you are the best family law firm I’ve ever known.