A specialist family lawyer is encouraging anyone experiencing domestic abuse to recognise the signs and seek support as Domestic Abuse Awareness Month returns throughout October.
The alert comes from Richard Port MBE as thousands of people across the region continue to experience many forms of domestic abuse.
Richard, a partner in the Family Division at Midlands law firm, mfg Solicitors, has spent much of his career supporting families affected by domestic abuse. He says public perceptions can still focus too heavily on physical violence, overlooking the many other forms abuse can take.
He said: “Domestic abuse can involve controlling money, checking someone’s phone, isolating them from family and friends, constantly putting them down or threatening that, if they leave, they will never see their children again.
“The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics demonstrate the scale of the issue. In the year ending March 2025, an estimated 3.8 million people aged 16 and over in England and Wales experienced domestic abuse in the previous year. Approximately 2.2 million were women and 1.5 million were men.
“Domestic abuse can include coercive control, emotional abuse, economic abuse, stalking and harassment, as well as physical or sexual violence. It can also have a significant impact on children living in an abusive household.
“If somebody is frightening you, controlling you, humiliating you or causing you to alter the way you live your life because you are worried about their reaction, it is important to seek help.
“People sometimes arrive at my office frightened that speaking to a solicitor means they are automatically starting court proceedings. It doesn’t. The first question should be: ‘What do you need right now?’”
“That might be immediate protection, advice about children, concerns about housing or finances, or simply having somebody listen and explain what options are available.”
There are a number of organisations who provide confidential advice and support. These include Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, Women’s Aid, SafeLives, Surviving Economic Abuse, Rights of Women, Galop for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors, and Men’s Advice Line, run by Respect, for male victims of domestic abuse.
Richard is encouraging people to use October as an opportunity not only to learn more about domestic abuse, but also to look out for friends, family members and colleagues who may need support.
He added: “Domestic abuse thrives in silence. It thrives when somebody believes nobody will believe them, or when they convince themselves that what is happening isn’t bad enough. Awareness is only the beginning. What really matters is what we do with it.
“If somebody reading this recognises something they have experienced, I want them to know that they deserve to be heard. Asking for help does not mean surrendering control over what happens next. Sometimes that first conversation is how you begin to take control back.”
Readers looking for further advice on matters relating to domestic abuse can email Richard directly at richard.port@mfgsolicitors.com
mfg Solicitors has offices in Birmingham, Worcester, Kidderminster, Bromsgrove, Ludlow, Telford and the Black Country. Further information can be found on www.mfgsolicitors.com.
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