Please help. Proof of domestic abuse.

[Helpjusthelp]

Hello, I really need some help.

Who can I ask for help with a 'Proof of domestic abuse' form?

I've asked the GP, but I've never spoken to them previously about domestic abuse so they can't help.

I've asked
Women's aid,
Domestic abuse helpline,
Wellbeing cafe,
Social services.
All of those I've spoken to about the abuse previously, but they aren't able to help.

I've asked the police, who have sent me an email confirming previous contact, but I'm fairly certain that this won't be 'enough'. Waiting to have this confirmed.

I'm also waiting to hear back from my counsellor.

Is there anybody else who I can ask?
Having to try to 'prove' this, right now, is absolutely mentally destroying me.

Who do you need to prove it for?

It's for legal aid to go to court.

Hopeful bump.

If you made complaint, or called the police during/after an incident, and your counsellor can confirm that this was something that they were helping you with that should suffice.

Am not clear why the other services you have mentioned having contact with cannot help.

What dis they say?

Wellbeing said that they aren't able to fill in the form.

Domestic abuse & women's aid said that it was 'low risk' & you need 'high risk' for the forms.

Social Services just said to go back to the GP.

The policewoman who said that she'd never heard of these forms & all she can do is send me an email.

I havn't heard back from the counsellor yet, but I only spoke to the police once & that was years before the counsellor.

Thank you Bannedontherun

If i recall the “evidence” you will require for the purposes of legal aid is within the last two years.

So if your counsellor can provide a narrative which to me sounds like coercive control, that should get you over the line proof wise.

Thank you for talking to me, Bannedontherun. I have a small charity helping me prepare for the court case & that's it.

Everybody who I've spoken to about this issue has been within the last year (women's aid started before that but it's carried on this year)

The only one which was years back was the police.

Fingers crossed that I hear back from the counsellor (& they have a record of everything) tomorrow then.

It's all so difficult.

I know it is hard stay strong

The counsellor said that they can't help with anything outside of their service.

Any other ideas?

I'm absolutely stuck now.

What proof are you looking for?

There is a form that's titled 'medical proof of domestic violence' (I think) & it's just 'I saw/spoke to this person on this date & can confirm that they were/are suffering from domestic abuse (then which type of abuse & if it's likely to continue)

That's pretty much it. Then I can get legal aid.

Surely the counsellor will be able to do that

Just to let you know. Even if you have proof of legal aid but have more than £8k in savings or a certain amount of equity in your home and or a certain level of income you still won't get it. Check on line to see the criteria or ring a solictor who will tell you. The abuse won't override the financial rules and might save you stress and time.

Thank you Redlarge Yes I know. It's a rented home & no savings. I'm on universal credit (not working)

The charity who are helping me say that I should be able to get legal aid but it doesn't really matter now anyway, does it.

Bannedontherun I expect it's because I had the counselling through a children's service (my children were seen first & then I had sessions just me) but they just said that they can't help outside of the service.

I would have thought police reports would be enough. Ring women's aid they will know what to do. Solictor will give free advice too.
You still had the counselling regardless. So they can surely help.

Sorry just saw that you have spoken to womens aid. Ring a solicitor now they will tell you.

Thank you Redlarge I spoke to one this morning, she said simply if the Dash report from women's aid isn't high risk then I have no chance.

I feel like the charity who are helping me have been 'pushing' this legal aid thing, I've just spoken to them & said that this is extra stress on top of everything else & I just need it to stop for now.

What is it you are going to court for? If it's considered 'so serious' then you qualify for legal aid on your inability to pay.

Redlarge It's for child arrangement.

I wish I'd never started it. People say that the court process is tough going, but it's not even started yet & I'm so stressed.

It is called Gateway Evidence. When I applied for legal aid, I provided a letter from a DA charity that I had been referred to by the police. However, the area in which I live seems to be pretty hot on all that stuff. Get the police to refer you to a DA organisation and then ask them for help.

https://www.gov.uk/legal-aid/domestic-abuse-or-violence

Child arrangement issues for legal aid should not require proof of DVA for funding. No clear OP what is going on here.

Bannedontherun I don't know. The solicitor who I spoke to earlier confirmed that I do need it.

Avalovelace Thank you do much for this, I will have a look.

@Helpjusthelp That makes no sense to me

This is wrong. Legal aid is generally only available for private family law matters involving children such as Child Arrangements Orders where there is evidence of domestic abuse, or there is evidence that the child has been or is at risk of abuse. OP's solicitor is correct - she needs to provide evidence of domestic abuse to qualify for legal aid.