Domestic Violence & Injunction

Gomer Williams is proud to support the most vulnerable in our community and is a trusted and resolute legal partner for those who have been a victim of domestic abuse.

We work closely with the local Women’s Aid refuge to Llanelli, advising women and their families who have taken refuge there. However, it’s not just women who are the victims of domestic abuse and advise both men and women to identify their needs and offer effective legal solutions.

Is it domestic abuse?

Domestic Abuse is defined as: ‘any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.’

Domestic violence and abuse manifests itself in many ways, all of which are equally damaging. Domestic abuse can be much more than physical violence; it can also include:

• Aspects of control, e.g. access to money and preventing access to support networks such as family or friends.
• Verbal abuse and behaviours such as name calling.

Why seek legal advice from Gomer Williams?

• We provide a highly confidential and discreet legal service for all our domestic abuse clients.
• We are extremely well-versed and experienced in domestic abuse matters and in handling these complex and highly sensitive cases.
• We are are flexible when it comes to meeting you to talk about your case and often make home visits or meet clients in safe houses or refuges as well as in our Llanelli office.
• We always look to protect our clients’ safety where the defendant might be present (i.e. in court)
• We are by your side for both legal and emotional strength during the legal process.
• Gomer Williams always aims to work as smoothly and as quickly as possible.

Contact us today to see how we can help. We can arrange to speak to or meet you at a convenient time to help ensure any enquiries remain confidential. We can also signpost you to further support. Our Director, Juliet Phillips-James, is the Chairperson of Llanelli Women’s Aid and has a great deal of knowledge and support to offer.

How can domestic abuse law help me?

The Family Law Act 1996 is vital to helping protect victims of domestic violence and also their children. There are two main types of order that can assist you:

• Non-molestation Orders
  This prevents someone from being violent or threatening violence against you or your child. It also includes intimidation, harassment, or pestering. Breaching this order is a criminal offence.
• Occupation Orders
  This order relates to who can live in the family home and can also restrict access to the surrounding area. If the abuser breaks this order then they will only be arrested if a power of arrest document was lodged alongside an Occupation Order.

Will my abuser be notified?

Both of these orders can be made with or without notice – i.e. notifying the abuser or not – which is useful in emergency situations.