DV-Trial. advice.

[MummyOf3Under5x]

So my ex was arrested and charged on two counts of battery and criminal damage.
He had his plea today. Pled not guilty.
Now obviously social services have become involved. I'm in a very difficult situation as I know this has to mean trial? Right.
I can't go to trial, there was a lot of historical abuse for me. (Sexual). I went through a long trial around 12 years old. I can't even walk past a court in my city without almost breaking down, I can't sit in a court room I can't be part of proceedings. I can't do it. I know t will affect me and take me back to a place that I've not dealt with properly. I'm so scared of falling back. Can I be forced to testify?

Your ex may well have been told to please not guilty at this stage. It's very very common for the wife not to turn up st the final hearing and therefore all charges get dropped.

If you attend the final hearing and state you are willing to give evidence then there is a good chance he will plead guilty.

Have you spoken to victim support? A counsellor to help you get through?
Social services and tell them how scared you are ?

Do you have any friends or family around you at the moment?

I'm really sorry this has happened. Awful for you.

Exactly what pp said. He really is hoping you don’t turn up and he will be let off Scott free!

Why not call your local police station and put your query to them?

In some circumstances I think they can go ahead and prosecute him anyway.

Going into that court room is probably not going to be worse than living with a violent abusive man

I’m sure there will be various agencies willing to support you throughout the situation.

Talk to the police - might they let you give evidence via a video link? The police will want your evidence so may well give you as much support as they can

no you cant be forced to testify but it could mean the charges dropped

Could you do it via a video link as that does seem to make sense

I'm so sorry to hear you have been put through this

Contact Victim Support and Womens Aid straight away, they will be able to find you an advocate and legal support.
(You might also ask them to talk to the police, who should have given you this information.)

So sorry for what you've gone through OP - have you been offered support (other than Social Services)?

You should have been given a Police Liason/Victim support officer to contact. Please speak to them about this, and tell them about your history, your fear of courtrooms, and see what they say.

Op I would speak to police/victim services about special measures- as already said you can be offered video link, or screens. With a screen only the court staff/jury can see you. You can also request a seperate waiting area away from main public areas of the court.
I bet if u turned up on the day- your ex partner would probably plead guilty, esp if the evidence is strong. He will be trying it on and hoping you don’t turn up by pleading not guilty at this stage. He and his defence will most likely know how worried you will be and he will be pinning his hopes on u not being there hoping that the case gets thrown out.

I second speaking with women’s aid too, or another similar domestic violence support service. They may be able to attend with you for support. I think it would probably help to take someone with you on the day, even if it’s a friend or relative.