Hi lovely ladies,
I’m really struggling to know what to do.
My husband of many years has filed for divorce this morning.
He moved out 3 months ago leaving me with my children after planning to be with his girlfriend.
In 2020, he hit me during lockdown and I had extensive bruising down my right arm. I did file a complaint a few months back with the police as he was quite aggressive with me but haven’t actioned it further. I didn’t want to have him charged as he apologised after this row plus I didn’t want any social services involvement and wanted to keep my family together.
However, now he has moved out, I find myself in a very difficult, vulnerable position. I have been a stay at home mum for 18 years, I have no assets or family support. I do work now, but only started a few months ago- just 2 months before he left. My wage is low.
My question is; should I go ahead and apply to have him charged with the assault from 2020 and apply for legal aid? Is it worth it? The police told me it was ABH as I had a large haematoma ( spelling?) and black bruising.
Would it be worth doing now ? He’s left so doesn’t live here and would social services still want to see me? My children are 15-18.
I have no money and cannot afford a solicitor otherwise. I’m still reluctant to do it, it seems so wrong after all these years but my husband has hurt me in so many ways; he cheated with prostitutes , gave me an STI, his £60k of debt from me and had planned to leave to be with a woman he met in 2019. He brought her down from London and helped get her a job. He’s taken the family car too so I’m trapped in my area which is semi rural.
I’m 50 and facing a real struggle and poverty now plus I need major surgery.
Any advice would be really helpful as legally I’m not sure what else to do. It looks like tit for tat really and I’m only having him charged to get the money.
He says I won’t get anywhere with it.
Thank you 🙏