Family Lawyer in Auckland – Help For Domestic Violence
People look for a family lawyer in Auckland for many reasons but one of the worst, for the client, relates to domestic violence. Family violence is a disgraceful action but sadly it is widespread throughout New Zealand. Consequently, many people, usually women but not always, need to get legal and community help.
Defining Domestic Violence?
Family or domestic violence is not physical assault. There are various forms of family violence. Sexual, emotional and even financial abuse are common forms.
Physical violence is often considered the most common and involves beating, hitting, often on areas of the body where any bruising will not be seen in public. The acts are often not reactionary but are the result of planning which demonstrated by the intentional positioning of any bruising.
Sexual abuse is often thought to be one form of attack however there are two. Sexual abuse is repeated over a period of time while sexual assault is a single act. If the sexual assault is not reported and acted up, it can lead to the even worse, ongoing sexual abuse.
Emotional or psychological abuse is repeated verbal actions with the intent to undermine the victim’s mental state. This causes a loss of self-esteem, and is seen though bullying, threats, repeated criticism, and more aggressive verbal attacks.
The final category is financial abuse. Here the perpetrator controls the freedom of movement of the other spouse by limiting access to finance. Often it is giving the other person a small amount of cash they can use in a week or taking away their credit or debit cards. Another form of this is not allowing the other spouse to see the extent of the family’s finances and assets.
What Can A Family Protection Lawyer Do?
A family lawyer in Auckland will explain your legal rights while also helping you to access resources to protect you and your family protection from the perpetrator.
There are well-publicised community resources for physical, and sexual abuse. However, for the emotional or financial abuse, the resources are not so commonly known. Our lawyers can help you with these.
Forms Of Protection
There are various forms of protection order that our lawyers can write for you. We will help to get these endorsed by the Family Court.
The types of protection order:
- A Protection Order does not allow the abuser to have contact with the victims.
- A Non-Molestation Order says that the abuser cannot go close to you or your home.
- An Occupation Order means you can stay in your home and stops the abuser from going into the home.
- A Residence Order means the victim can exclusively occupy their home and at the same time, the abuser must leave it.
Getting A Protection Order
People can apply to various government agencies for protective orders. The Family Court is a good and fast place to start. A protection order is generally given the same day of the application. The websites of NZ Police or the Justice Department give some good help in this regard.
Often though, the victim is in shock, may be physically unable, or simply overwhelmed to understand what to do. Our team of family lawyers in Auckland can help, and make the applications for you.
Summing Up
Family law issues, especially domestic violence, are major problems in Auckland. If you or anybody that you know is affected by this, encourage them to get help. There is nothing to be ashamed about. It is not their fault. It is the abuser’s fault. To protect yourself and your family, contact one of our family lawyer team in Auckland and we will help you get the legal protection and support you have a right to. We have an office in Auckland city centre and can give you fast support.