You may want to contact your local Victim Support office, Women's Aid or Men's Advice Line.

If you're staying in a refuge the workers will probably be able to attend court with you and offer you support throughout the court process.

In addition to this a few local boroughs have specialist domestic violence advocacy projects designed to support people through the criminal justice process. Your local police Community Safety Unit should be able to provide you with contact details for relevant support agencies. You can find their number by looking in the phone book or phoning your local police station.

It's also possible that the Crown Prosecution Service may have a meeting with you before the court case to find out if there are things they can do to help you give evidence.

Try to find out as much information as possible about the practicalities of what is involved in advance so that you're able to prepare yourself.

Remember that it's your violent partner and not you who is on trial and they are responsible for this situation.

Back to Practical help

This article was last reviewed by Catherine Orr Deas in December 2005.
First published in February 2003.