Listen without judging, set out the facts.
Putting violence into words is hard. The first appointment is there to set out the facts, in confidence and without judgement.
Practice area: Family violence
Being protected, heard and supported when violence takes hold in a family.
Family violence can take several forms: physical, psychological, economic, administrative or sexual violence, or repeated threats. It can affect the couple, the children or other family members. Where the safety of a person or a child is at stake, it is important to act quickly, within a precise framework and with the right support services. I help you identify the legal steps available to protect yourself and your children, and put in place the measures your family needs in order to be safe.
What this covers
Concrete measures, not just principles.
Depending on the circumstances, several steps can be considered: applying for urgent measures before the Family Court, organising the children's residence within a protective framework, applying for the family home to be allocated to you provisionally, applying for exclusive parental authority, supporting you in making a complaint, or directing you to specialist services.
You do not need to have already made a complaint, or to have taken every decision, in order to come for a consultation. I listen, assess the priorities with you and, where necessary, direct you to the right support and shelter services. I can also work in coordination with specialist organisations, in particular victim support associations, so that the legal support forms part of a wider and safer framework of care.
I work with the Maison d'accueil Montfort, a shelter for women who are victims of family violence, and I know the Brussels victim support network.
Common situations
Every situation calls for a response that fits it.
Leaving, staying, protecting the children, rebuilding: the law can support each of these stages.
Obtaining urgent measures before the Family Court Divorce, separation, allocation of the family home, a barring order removing the other party from the home, a framework for contact between parents and children, exclusive parental authority, a maintenance contribution for the children, spousal support… Protecting the children Adapting parental authority and residence where the violence affects or exposes the children. Under the Istanbul Convention, a child present during the violence is also a victim. Handling the criminal side Complaint, joining the proceedings as a civil party, following the criminal file in step with the family case.
How I work
Identifying the priorities.
Put protection in place.
Urgent measures: the home, the children, the support network. Concrete arrangements, put in place without delay.
Build what comes next, with rebuilding in view.
Final separation, parental authority, residence arrangements, the finances, keeping the criminal case in step: a tenacious defence so you can rebuild on stable ground.
Contact