Free legal advice to victims of domestic abuse

Hampshire Constabulary has joined forces with a leading domestic violence charity to provide greater assistance to victims.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) offers free legal advice and support to all domestic abuse victims who are seeking injunctions, regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality or financial circumstances.

If victims are eligible for legal aid, the centre prepares paperwork for local solicitors, who present the case in court. Victims who do not qualify for public funding are helped at court by the centres law students acting as "McKenzie Friends", in which someone is allowed to accompany and assist an applicant in court proceedings.

Hampshire Constabulary will work alongside the NCDV to obtain injunctions within 24 hours and arrest any perpetrators who breach it.

Inspector Nigel Scott, from Hampshire Constabulary's Public Protection Unit, said: "The centre will add value to the number of excellent services supporting domestic abuse victims in Hampshire.

"Working as one team with the centre and our partners means we will be able to provide a more supportive service. Residents will now have access to free legal advice and an injunction quickly without having to worry about how they're going to pay for it. This should encourage more people to seek help sooner."

The scheme covers applications for non-molestation orders, occupation orders to keep someone away from a particular premises and prohibited steps orders, which can be used to prevent the removal of children from the area where they live.

The NCDV charity was founded in 2002 by barrister Steve Connor. He was prompted to set up the scheme after a friend who had been abused could not pay for legal help but did not qualify for legal aid. It now has offices all across the country and offers free help and legal advice to anyone. It means victims who are ineligible for public funding, such as Legal Aid, can still get immediate support, free of charge, in the civil aspects of protection.

NCDV Chief Executive Officer Steve Connor said: "Domestic abuse is a cowardly and horrific crime that affects all sectors of society. I'm confident that by standing together in Hampshire we will send out a message that this crime will not be tolerated any longer and everything will be done to bring any perpetrators to justice.

"For the first time, victims of domestic violence within Hampshire will be able to access fast free legal advice and support through the civil court system regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or financial circumstances".

In 2008 NCDV obtained over 21% of the entire countries injunctions, more than any other organisation or firm of solicitors in the country. To date they have obtained over 25,000 injunctions.

The National Centre for Domestic Violence's 24-hour helpline is 0844 8044 999.

News source:

www.hampshire.police.uk

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