Please note that the following services are not operated by Surrey Police. In some cases the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner provides funding to support delivery of local services, but the organisations operate independently.
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NCDV - National Centre for Domestic Violence

Description:

Aims, Policy and Practice

Our mission is to help people identify the early signs of domestic abuse, make decisions for a better life and to make domestic abuse socially unacceptable.

Before the Centre was operational, the Police and victims faced two problems when using local firms of solicitors to obtain non-molestation orders.

Generally, solicitors were only willing to accept clients that were either eligible for public funding or clients who could afford to pay privately, thus leaving all those people ‘not eligible’ with no access to funds, unprotected.

The other main issue was that solicitors were taking between two days and two weeks to get the client into court and obtain the order.

We were convinced that victims of domestic violence and abuse could be daunted by the vast amount of various legal agencies offering to assist. We saw the need for a one-stop-shop where the concerns of those in an abusive situation could be addressed in their language and on their terms. Furthermore this streamlined service, could and should be free and accessible to everybody.

Protection irrespective of financial circumstances

For those whose income or capital takes them above the threshold for public funding, we will draft your witness statement and the relevant paperwork. We will provide you with a McKenzie Friend (subject to availability and geographical area) to support you at court.

As to timing, the Centre aims to get cases to Court on the first working day after we have spoken to you to prepare your statement. In cases of extreme urgency (involving risk of child abduction for instance) the Centre is conversant with the procedure for obtaining and enforcing orders out of usual court hours. In any event, clients will have been familiarised with the whole court experience as part of the initial advice that NCDV provides. The Centre can also offer practical assistance with getting to court if such is required. Centre staff have access to a qualified lawyer 24 hours a day, 365 days a year should they encounter circumstances beyond their own experience and expertise.

To provide this service NCDV continually train law students from universities and training centres throughout the country. In addition we run specialist training courses for numerous Police forces and government agencies throughout the county.

 

Text: NCDV to 60777
Call: 0800 970 2070
Email: office@ncdv.org.uk

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