Life Law NI would like to wish all their LGBT followers a happy and safe Pride 2015 this week.

To play our part in festivities, here’s an informative article entitled ‘When Love Hurts… Dealing with Domestic Abuse in Your Relationship’

It’s written by our very own Claire Edgar for GNI magazine and it provides useful information on how to deal with domestic violence within your relationship as a member of the LGBT community.

‘When Love Hurts…Dealing with Domestic Abuse in Your Relationship’ 

Despite what many people think, abuse from a partner is not limited to physical harm – a whole range of controlling and abusive behaviour can constitute domestic violence including threatening behaviour and psychological, sexual, financial and emotional control.

Whilst research shows that domestic violence is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men, it is by no means selective – anyone can be affected by domestic abuse in a relationship, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity

Indeed, within the LGBT community, domestic abuse is a serious issue and can often go unreported due to fears the victim may have of exposing the abuse or revealing the nature of their relationship with the perpetrator.

If you are suffering domestic abuse in your relationship, you are not alone. The good news is that there is protection available from the Courts which can go some way to help you break free from your abusive relationship.

The Courts have the power to grant a ‘Non-Molestation Order’ against your partner prohibiting your partner from molesting, harassing, pestering or threatening you in any way. It is a criminal offence to breach these Orders. The police treat domestic violence very seriously and have dedicated domestic abuse teams to deal with these matters.

The Orders can be made by the Court on an emergency basis to provide you with instant protection. Your partner will be given the opportunity to attend at Court on a later date to defend themselves if they wish to do so.

It is therefore important to have a skilled and specialised lawyer working with you to ensure that you get protection as quickly as possible and also to represent you if the proceedings become contested.

For further information please contact Claire on cedgar@fhanna.co.uk