Having been in a controlling and coercive relationship, our client Amy* (*not her real name) instructed us to apply for a protective injunction without notice to the respondent.
Amy was a victim of manipulative emotional and physical abuse and harassment during a four-year relationship, although many of the incidents went unreported. This had led her to feel at risk of serious harm, as well as impacting upon her mental wellbeing and personal life.
Just before Amy spoke to us last year, she was subjected to physical abuse, with her former partner threatening to damage what was then the family home.
This incident was reported to the police and is part of an ongoing investigation, although the priority for us was to help Amy secure a Non-Molestation Order (NMO) under the Family Law Act (FLA) 1996. This was necessary as Amy was left without any protection from her former partner while inquiries were ongoing.
Within 24 hours, we had assisted Amy in drafting her supporting witness statement and applied for the protective injunction in the respondent’s absence. The ex-parte NMO was granted for a period of 12 months on the same day in order to provide her with some safety.
Having been ordered not to intimidate or harass her further, Amy now feels that she has adequate protection from her former partner.
She is now able to move on with her life without undue fear and anxiety that he may cause her harm.