What other choice do I have if I don't want to leave my home?
A lot of women who are experiencing violence normally raise the question about what will happen to them once they are ready to move on from the temporary hostel/refuge accommodation.
These are frequently asked questions and below are a range of options that you can pursue.
Going back Home:
Some women may choose to go back home asking the violent partner to leave. This is normally a very complex area of the law and different laws cover couples who are married and those who are not. If this option is to be considered, the woman needs to discuss the circumstances with a solicitor, if she has one, or to gain expert legal advice to ensure her rights are maintained. (See legal options for further details on occupation orders)
Types of Property Orders that can be granted
Married Couples
Mesher Order: If this is granted, then the court can order that the sale of the property can be deferred for a certain period of time, for instance until the children are no longer dependent.
Martin Order: This order is for the outright transfer of the property to the woman.
The County Court can also order the transfer of a tenancy.
Unmarried couples
Until the Family Law reform Act 1987, unmarried couples had few legal rights. However, this Act allowed the partner who is to care for the children to have the property held in 'trust' for the children until they become no longer dependent.
Under this Act, a person can request that an order be made to bring a joint tenancy to an end, and for a new tenancy to be created for the person who is to care for the children of the relationship.
There are, however, many factors (e.g. income, now and in the foreseeable future (earning capacity); financial needs in the future; length of marriage etc) which will be taken into consideration by the court before granting such orders.
It is therefore imperative that women seek specialist legal advice before making a final decision
What is the Staying Put Project
- Staying Put is a project for women who wish to leave the abuse behind and not their homes.
- Staying Put offers a range of safety measures and support Services to assist women to remain in their own homes.
- Staying Put works in partnership with a number of local organisations.
- The Staying Put service in Keighley is delivered by Domestic Violence Services Keighley. This project has been initially funded by the Home Office.
- Staying Put services are available across the whole of the Bradford District.
What it will offer?
- Information and support
- Options and choices available to women in their own home
- Support workers including; Legal support worker: to provide legal advocacy and support to women,
- Women's support workers: to provide women with support required.
- Children' support workers: To support children who have witnessed or been caught up in domestic violence. The children's work will involve sensitive support to children to help cope with their feelings and to adapt to a life free from violence. The children's work will also include safety planning.
- Staying Put can support women when meeting solicitors or with court attendance or other support when liaising with agencies.
- Staying Put provides locks, bolts, panic alarms and mobile phones to help women feel safe in their own homes.
- Staying put also works in partnership with 8 Days a Week" to provide a group work programme for violent men who wish to address their violent behaviour.
Additionally a Bradford District wide help-line has been set up to give information about services available for women experiencing domestic violence in whole of the Bradford District.
Languages spoken:
Urdu and Punjabi
Contact No:
Staying Put project : 01274 730070
District Wide helpline: 0800 085 6206
Domestic Violence Services Keighley: 01535 210999
Getting re-housed
For this type of accommodation women usually have to apply to the council and housing associations. If women choose this option then the support worker at the hostel would help by completing the application forms and following all relevant procedures the procedures
For further information, please visit the link below.
