Domestic violence trial - advice please

[Josette00]

Hello,
I have been a victim of domestic violence for a few months, until I had to call the police due to my ex partner threatening me with 2 knives.
He was charged with common assault and pleaded not guilty.
I will now have to go to Court in order to give evidence.
Has anyone been through such an experience please?
The police said I don't need to come with a solicitor, what do you think about it?
Thank you very much for any answer and advice.

Have the police ever spoken to you about the IDVA service? They are trained legal specialists who will act as an advocate for you in legal matters. If not ask them to refer you, it's an incredibly useful resource for helping you practically through all of this. And it's completely free.

I'm sorry to learn of your recent experience and hope that you are receiving support from your regional police authority's DV unit or Women's Aid.

As you're not the one who will be on trial, you don't need a solicitor or an advocate as only you can give evidence and no-one else can speak for you.

If you're concerned about seeing your ex in court and giving your testimony in front of him, you can ask for a screen to be erected so he can't see you and you won't see him.

If you don't have a friend/family member to go to the court with you, Victim Support or IDVA may provide a worker to support you.

The IDVA service can ask all those sorts of questions for you, plus more that you may not even know to ask. They'll talk you through what will happen do you're prepared. They can arrange additional support as well if you need it. This is exactly what they're there to do.