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If you or your children face immediate danger act quickly. This guide explains who to contact first, short‑term safety measures you can take, the range of emergency legal remedies available and how the family and criminal courts typically handle urgent applications. Follow these steps to protect life and wellbeing and to preserve evidence that supports later legal action.
Dial 999 for immediate danger
Call the police on 999 if anyone faces immediate physical danger, a threat of violence, or if a crime is in progress. The police will prioritise safety, can arrest an alleged perpetrator, and can accompany you to a safe location. If the situation is not an emergency use the non‑emergency number 101.
Tell the police exactly what has happened
Give precise details about timings locations injuries threats and witnesses. Provide any crime reference numbers and ask for an officer’s name and collar number. The police can produce an evidence log that helps both criminal prosecutions and civil family proceedings.
Domestic violence protection notices and orders
The police can issue a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) on the spot in some cases. A DVPN can restrict the alleged perpetrator from returning to the home for up to 48 hours. The police then apply for a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) from the magistrates’ court to extend protection for up to 28 days without a full criminal trial. DVPOs can provide breathing space while you decide next steps.
Seek urgent medical help and document injuries
If you or a child sustain injuries get medical treatment immediately. Ask clinicians to record the cause of injuries in clinical notes and to photograph injuries if possible. Hospital and GP records form important evidence for both criminal and family courts.
Contact local domestic abuse services and refuges
Local domestic abuse charities and refuges provide safety planning, emergency accommodation, practical support and advocacy. Independent Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) work with high‑risk victims to coordinate safety plans and to liaise with police and social services. Find local services via refuges’ national directories or local authority pages.
Notify relevant professionals quickly
Tell your child’s school or nursery, GP and any social worker about safety concerns so they can take protective steps. Schools can supervise drop‑offs and maintain confidentiality. Inform employers if threats affect work or if you need time off for safety arrangements.
Family court remedies you can seek urgently
The family courts can grant several emergency orders to protect you and your children. You can apply directly or ask the police, local authority or a solicitor to help with urgent applications.
Non‑molestation orders
A non‑molestation order bans the respondent from molesting you or a child. Molestation includes violence threats harassment and abusive communication. The court can grant an ex parte non‑molestation order without notifying the respondent first where giving notice would increase risk. Ex parte orders often last until a return hearing when both sides present evidence.
Occupation orders
An occupation order regulates who may live in or enter the family home. The court can grant exclusive occupation to you even if you do not hold legal title, or it can place conditions on the respondent’s access. The court balances housing rights against safety, but it will exclude a person where necessary to protect a victim or child. The court can make interim occupation orders at an urgent hearing.
Prohibited steps and specific issue orders
If the risk involves removal of a child, the court can issue a Prohibited Steps Order to prevent a parent taking a specific action, such as taking a child abroad. A Specific Issue Order resolves one narrow dispute, for example changing school or medical treatment. The family court can hear urgent applications for these remedies ex parte if the child faces immediate risk.
Emergency protection orders for children
Under the Children Act 1989 the local authority can apply for an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) if a child faces immediate risk of significant harm. An EPO can give the local authority short‑term rights to remove the child to a safe place and to restrict contact. EPOs last up to eight days and the court can extend them for a maximum of 15 days while further action proceeds.
How to apply urgently to the family court
Go to your local family court or use online filing where appropriate. For immediate protection tell the court you seek an ex parte hearing. Prepare a witness statement that sets out, plainly and chronologically, incidents, dates, injuries, witnesses and any police or medical records. Include details of any children and their vulnerability. The court may list a first hearing the same day or within a short period.
Evidence to gather and preserve
Collect and preserve evidence as soon as it is safe to do so. Useful items include:
– Photographs of injuries or damaged property with dates
– Police incident numbers and officer names
– Hospital and GP records, and referrals for counselling or support
– Screenshots of threatening messages emails or social media posts with timestamps
– Witness details from neighbours family or colleagues who can corroborate incidents
– Copies of court orders, notices, or previous incidents involving child protection or criminal prosecutions
Store digital evidence in multiple secure locations and keep originals where possible.
Working with social services and CAFCASS
If the police or you contact children’s services because of risk, social workers will assess immediate safety needs under the Children Act 1989. Social services can arrange emergency housing temporary care or support packages. In family court private law cases Cafcass may prepare a Section 7 welfare report or speak directly to children to advise the court about what arrangements meet their best interests.
Criminal law options and parallel processes
Report crimes promptly
Where abuse constitutes a criminal offence report it to the police. Crimes include assault, coercive control, stalking, rape and harassment. Criminal proceedings can run alongside family court applications. Police prosecutions can lead to convictions that strengthen family court protection but family judges decide civil remedies on the balance of probabilities.
Prosecution, bail conditions and protective injunctions
When police charge a suspect the magistrates’ court can impose bail conditions restricting contact or location. Prosecutors can seek restraining orders on conviction. Keep your solicitor informed of criminal processes; they can help obtain disclosure of bail conditions or convictions relevant to family hearings.
Safety planning and practical measures
Create a safety plan
Work with a domestic abuse service or IDVA to develop a safety plan that covers escape routes, emergency contacts, safe storage of important documents, and steps to protect children. Plan a code word with family or friends so they can call for immediate help.
Secure important documents and finances
Keep passports, birth certificates, benefit letters, bank details and any court documents in a safe place or with a trusted person. If you must leave suddenly take critical items like medication, phone and keys. Consider opening a separate bank account where funds can be protected.
Protect online safety
Change passwords and privacy settings on social media and email. Log out of shared devices and use two‑factor authentication. Be cautious about GPS location features that might reveal your whereabouts. Use secure phones for contact with support services where possible.
Legal aid, solicitors and specialist support
Check legal aid eligibility
You may qualify for legal aid in domestic abuse or child protection cases if you meet financial and merits tests. Legal aid can cover representation for injunction hearings. Contact a duty solicitor at the family court or a local law centre for immediate advice. Kindly not that we cannot assist with legally aided matters.
Use specialist solicitors and charities
Specialist family law solicitors like us with domestic abuse experience can help prepare ex parte applications and represent you at hearings. Charities such as Refuge, Women’s Aid and men’s support services provide confidential advice and can link you with legal and housing assistance.
What courts expect at return hearings
At the return hearing the court usually hears evidence from both sides and may make longer term orders. Expect the judge to review the initial urgency evidence, any new material, police and social services input, and Cafcass reports if ordered. The judge may extend protection, vary occupation arrangements, or make child protection orders depending on findings.
When orders are breached
Report breaches quickly
Report breaches of non‑molestation or occupation orders to the police immediately. Breach of a non‑molestation order is a criminal offence and the police can arrest the respondent. Keep dated records of breaches, photographs and witness details and give these to the police and your solicitor.
Civil enforcement and contempt proceedings
You can also return to the family court to enforce or vary orders. In serious deliberate breaches the court may treat conduct as contempt and impose fines or committal to prison.
Long term recovery and stability
After securing immediate safety plan for long term stability. Seek counselling for you and children, obtain ongoing legal advice, clarify housing and financial entitlements, update wills and consider changing school arrangements if needed. Join survivor support groups and rebuild networks that support long term resilience.
Conclusion
When you or your children face immediate risk act without delay. Call 999, involve the police and seek urgent medical care. Contact local domestic abuse services, social services and specialist solicitors to coordinate protection. The family courts can issue powerful urgent remedies such as non‑molestation, occupation and Emergency Protection Orders to secure safety. Preserve evidence, follow safety plans and obtain legal and practical support to protect yourself and your children now and in the future.
At Alexander JLO we have many years of experience of dealing with all aspects of family law and will be happy to discuss your case in a free no obligation consultation. Why not call us on +44 (0)20 7537 7000, email us at info@london-law.co.uk or get in touch via the contact us button and see what we can do for you?
This blog was prepared by Alexander JLO’s senior partner, Peter Johnson on 9th November 2025 and is correct at the time of publication. With decades of experience in almost all areas of law Peter is happy to assist with any legal issue that you have. He is widely regarded as one of London’s leading divorce lawyers. His profile on the independent Review Solicitor website can be found Here