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The Archers: how legal support can help the real-life Helens escape domestic abuse
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Recent changes to the law on domestic abuse could have helped Archers character Helen Titchener to escape her husband Rob before she reached crisis point and stabbed him according to a leading family lawyer.
The long-running BBC Radio 4 soap opera has caused controversy with its storyline featuring Rob's coercive behaviour towards Helen which reached a climax when she lost control and stabbed him.
However
Rayner Grice a family law specialist at Clarke Willmott pointed out that a new offence that was introduced last year under the Serious Crime Act could have helped Helen to leave Rob or have him removed from the family home.
She said:
'Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 creates a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or familial relationships.
'The offence carries a maximum sentence of 5 years' imprisonment a fine or both and sends a clear message that this type of abuse is taken seriously and punishable by law.'
Ms Grice a partner and head of the Family Team at Clarke...
Read the full article here.
