
Police and the CPS
Police and the Criminal Justice Process You (or someone else on your behalf) may decide to contact the police for help. There is no specific offence of ‘domestic violence or domestic abuse’; however, the term can be applied to a number of offences committed in a domestic environment such as assault, criminal damage, threats to […]
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Child Contact
Child contact when you divorce or separate You can choose how to make contact arrangements for looking after your children if you separate from your partner. You and your ex-partner can usually avoid going to court hearings if you agree on: where the children will live how much time they’ll spend with each parent how […]
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Legal Aid
Please be aware that Safer Futures, First Light will only provide legal aid letters, if a client has engaged with the Service and is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence. This enables the team to make an informed professional decision about the current situation. Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family […]
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Specialist Domestic Violence Court
The Specialist Domestic Violence Court (SDVC) is for first appearances and sentencing of defendants who are charged with domestic abuse. Victims of these crimes do not need to attend court. However, if they choose to attend, they will be supported by the court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) at court. Their safety will be a […]
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