Apologies in advance for the long message I have posted on here previously and just need help. I’ve been married for 19 years and since marrying husband have been a victim of emotional abuse and coercive behaviour. We had our children they are now 9 and 11.
Since having the children, the abuse has got worse and there has been physical abuse to our 9 -year-old son, no physical abuse to our daughter, by their dad. My son is fully aware that he is treated differently, so everything dad does to him, he does to his sister, so that she feels some of what’s happening to him.
I have involved Childrens Services in 2023 Husband made out that it was ‘play fighting’ that got carried away and managed to talk his way out of it, said that he would be different and would get Counselling. He came back home, 2 months later everything was back how it was and worse. I called Children Services again in 2024 this time he made out it was down to my menopause and our daughter going through her hormones. He moved out for 4 months this time, so he would speak to the doctor and go on anger management courses.
Now a year later, nothing’s changed the abuse is escalating. It resulted in him punching our son in the privates which really hurt and winded him, my 9 year old then punched him back in the face. My 9-year-old has since disclosed a lot more that has been going on without my knowledge.
I have now filed for a non-molestation order which was granted last Friday.
I have the next Hearing where my husband can put his views on 13th June. Can anyone tell me whether I really need to take a solicitor to this hearing with me or is it just to hear if he contests what’s been said? I’m not entitled to legal aid.
please help, I cannot risk this being overturned or him worming his way out of it all again. He currently has to leave the home cannot go near the schools and has no contact with the children.