A friend of mine is seeing a woman who's ex husband decides from time to time to go and rough her up a bit. This usually ends up with my mate racing round there from wherever he is at whatever time to "do something about it" (luckily for both parties he's never caught up with ex-hubby). My friend tells me that the Police won't do anything as there are no bruises (apparently hubby aims for the stomach where bruises don't seem to show up so good) ex husband is also the registered owner of the house despite not living there anymore so has a key etc). Are the police really powerless to do anything? I know she has a kid could it not count as a witness? Does it really make a difference who owns the house? To top it off I know on a couple of occasions my mate has been out on the beers and driven round there (i.e over the legal limit - alcohol) so either he's going to kill someone or himself. I can't always be there to talk him out of it!? Suggestions please

[Edited by jamin - 9/5/2002 1:03:41 PM]

Sorry to hear this, thisa is terrible!

I thought that the Police could fit 'Panic Buttons' and CCTV to houses in cazses of domestic violence to get a swift response. Talk to the CAB re a restraining order or such.

the last resort is to sort this coward ****e out, broken legs and or arms or a couple of other things i will not print would make him think twice, heh if the system won't help protect the innocent then take measures to ensure it does not happen again, mail me off line for ideas if required.

Not a violent sort by nature, do not usually advocate violence/retaliation unless i feel the situation warrants it. I do hate bullies and those who prey on people unable to look after themselves.

Paul

[Edited by Paul Habgood - 9/5/2002 12:35:36 PM]

Jamin

Domestic violence is a very hot topic within the Police at the moment and it is 'normally' dealt with very seriously.

Firstly is this lady willing to provide a statement and appear in court ? This is usually the biggest stumbling block of them all. When the victim is told they will have to give evidence in court well over 75 % refuse to provide statements. Without a statement it doesn't matter how much the Police want to prosecute the CPS will not run the case. Unless of course there is independant corroborative evidence such as photos of injuries etc.

Secondly, have the locks on this house been changed? If not why not? It doesn't matter if his name is on the mortgage or deeds. If he is not living there and they are estranged then she has the care and control of the property.

If the locks have been changed, she refuses to answer the door and he smashes it in then it's crminal damage.

If he smashes it in and he knows she's in the house and is opposed to his entry then its violence to secure entry.

If he doesn't get in and hurls abuse from the street. The Police turn up and he's still being abusive then he can be arrested for public order offences.

Ultimately If she does provide a statement then bail conditions can be given to prevent him going near the house or her. If he ignores these then he can be arrested, and bail will be refused. If he or any person acting on his behalf then attends the address or pesters her they commit the offence of witness intimidation.

I've waffled a bit but hopefully you can see there are options availiable. She will 9 times out of 10 have to provide a statement for further action to be taken. Yes its a failing but its not liable to change any time soon I'm afraid.

Nathan..

Edited cos part of it made no sense :o


[Edited by Nathan L - 9/5/2002 4:31:47 PM]

Domestic violence is very serious and unfortunately surprisingly common against women. My advice would be next time it occurs to attend either A&E or GP to document findings and build up a file on these incidents. I work as a registrar in A&E and see this on a daily basis. The move evidence the better for prosecution purposes. Also the police will have a domestic violence unit which specialises in these issues.

Don't talk him out of it. Help him. Sit round there with him with some 4x2 and beat the fooker to within an inch of his feckin life.

Scum that hit woment are just feckin cowards and he needs to be taught a lesson.

If you need a hand then e-mail me and I'll get a crew up to come and kill the fecker for you.

Sorry to rant but I can't stand people that do this.

I have no doubt that my mate could beat the sh1t out of the tw@t on his own but I reckon it would just make things worse...

Maybe looking through a couple of these websites might help with regards to advise

http://www.ndvh.org/
http://www.dvsheltertour.org/
http://www.domesticviolence.org/content.html
http://nch.ari.net/domestic.html

She needs to get the hell out of there IMHO.

What a cnut. Mail me if you need any advice about how to proceed.
astraboy.

Agree with Jason.
I've been in this situation before when an ex-girlfriend was being knocked around by her ex. He thought she'd never tell me but she eventually did (after it going on for months) and I confronted him about it (with four friends behind me of course). As it happens, a couple of stern words and a couple of slaps and he left her well alone.
I think with a combination of Jason's friends and mine, it may do the trick.

Thanks for the replies...it just seems absolutely rediculous than in this day and age there is nothing that can be done legally...then again the way this country is going it's hardly a surprise. Thanks for the offers of "special" help but I'm sure me and a couple of mates should be able to take care of things IF it comes to that!

Golden rule, number one: "If" you decide to have a word along with a few mates.... Take the sensible ones and have a plan. Control the whole situation.