Including;

i) stopping someone from contacting or approaching another (known as a Non-Molestation Order; often ordered in cases involving ongoing harassment and/or domestic abuse/violence); or

ii) seeking the removal of someone from a property (known as an Ouster Order – again commonly ordered when there has been harassment and/or domestic abuse/violence); or

iii) stopping someone from taking a child out of the jurisdiction (known as a Non Removal Order); or

iv) preventing someone from disposing of assets (known as a Mareva Order).

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:

• Coercive control (a pattern of intimidation, degradation, isolation and control with the use or threat of physical or sexual violence);
• Psychological and/or emotional abuse;
• Physical or sexual abuse;
• Financial or economic abuse;
• Harassment and stalking; and/or
• Online or digital abuse

Abusive relationships can be very damaging to relationships and cause great harm. Often, if the abuser isn't prepared to take responsibility for their behaviour and seek help, the only way forward is to leave the relationship and separate.

Separation itself can be difficult. It can be a time when the abuse increases and therefore it is essential that the victim reaches out for support.

If you have been a victim of domestic abuse, you can take steps to protect yourself from further incidents;

• the police can help to protect a person from immediate violence or threatened violence;
• Jersey Woman’s Refuge can offer a victim a safe place to stay and/or support services to help the victim deal with the trauma of being in an abusive relationship as well as outreach support in the community and courses. They also offer a 24-hour helpline (0800 7356 836); and/or
• there are Orders the Courts can make such as a Non-Molestation Order (stopping the abuser from contacting or approaching the victim) and/or an Ouster Order (ordering the removal of someone from a property).

An Injunction is a judicial order restraining a person from beginning or continuing an action.

In the context of domestic abuse, the Court has the power to order;

• a Non-Molestation Order; and/or
• an Outser Order.

In the context of divorce proceedings where one party is concerned that their spouse has or is likely to dissipate assets, the Court has the power to make a Mareva / Freezing Order.

One of the strongest ways you can protect yourself against domestic abuse is by taking out a non-molestation order against your abuser.

They forbid specified behaviour, such as threatening you, or limiting their actions, like visiting your home.

A non-molestation order is typically issued to prohibit an abuser from using or threatening physical violence, intimidating, harassing, pestering or communicating with you. An order could prevent the abuser coming within a certain distance of you, your home address or even attending your place of work. It could also include your children in certain circumstances. An order will also prevent an abuser from instructing or encouraging others to do any of those actions.

When deciding whether to grant an order, the Court will consider all your circumstances, primarily the need to secure the health, safety and well-being of you and any children. Evidence of abusive text messages/emails along with photos of any injuries or damage to property will strengthen your case.

An Ouster Order requires someone to leave the family home and/or not to come within a specified distance of the home. An Ouster Order is not limited to circumstances where there has been physical violence; behaviour causing mental distress is sufficient.

A Non-Molestation Order can be combined with an Ouster Order in appropriate cases.

If you are the victim of domestic abuse and you are considering whether or not an injunction may be appropriate, it is highly advisable that you seek legal advice from a specialist family lawyer in Jersey, without delay. A lawyer will be able to assist you as to the most appropriate next steps.

If you are concerned about the costs involved in taking out an injunction (either because you do not have funds or access to funds if the abuser controls the finances), you may be entitled to legal aid and a lawyer in Jersey will be able to advise you about your options.

A Mareva Order is a very considerable restriction on a person’s ability to carry on with their everyday life. The injunction usually restrains that person from dealing in any way with some or all of their assets.

In the context of a divorce, a Mareva or Freezing Order, may be appropriate if one of the parties has or is at risk of dissipating assets to defeat their spouse’s claim.

If you are separated from your spouse and you are concerned that they already have, or may be about to, dissipate assets, it is highly advisable that you speak to a specialist family lawyer in Jersey to obtain urgent legal advice.