Kidderminster is a market and minster town in Worcestershire, 17 miles from Birmingham and 15 miles from Worcester. The River Stour and Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal pass through the town.

What to see and do in Kidderminster

Severn Valley Railway Is a heritage steam railway operating passenger trains between Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bridgnorth. Severn Valley Railway, Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, DY10 1QX.

Drakelow Tunnels Former Top Secret underground military complex underneath Kingsford Country Park – Drakelow Tunnels, DY11 5SW.

Museum of Carpets The only UK museum dedicated to the celebrating the industry, art and heritage of carpet making – Museum of Carpets – Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster, DY10 1AZ.

Hartlebury Castle The Castle was the home to Worcester Bishops up until 2007, packed full of history and stunning grounds – Hartlebury Castle, Hartlebury, Worcestershire, DY11 7XZ.

Stone House Cottage Gardens Visit the cottage garden created in 1975 where rare and unusual plants flourish. Alongside the garden is a nursery, specialising in climbers, wall shrubs and lesser grown herbaceous plants – Stone House Cottage Nurseries, Church Lane, Near Kidderminster, DY10 4BG.

Do you need family law support in Kidderminster?

Thursfields Solicitors -14 Church Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2AH

Kerrigans Family Law – 13 St. Johns Avenue, Kidderminster, DY11 6AT

Rogers & Co – 2 Comberton Place, Kidderminster, DY10 1QR

Talbots Law – 30 Church Street, Kidderminster, DY10 2AX

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Are you thinking about separation or divorce because of domestic abuse?

A common reason for divorce one party being abused in some way by the other party. This could be emotional or physical abuse and for the divorce court comes under the heading of “unreasonable behaviour”. Whilst the divorce proceedings trundle on through the civil court system, victims can find themselves also going through the criminal courts if the Police are involved and there is enough evidence to bring a case. 

In recent years, there has been much talk in the UK regarding the law around the subject of Domestic Abuse and divorce with draft legislation proposed by Theresa May in February 2017.  This draft was finally released in January 2019 and will now be brought to Parliament for debate. The bill sets out a statutory government definition of domestic abuse which includes controlling and manipulative behaviour. For the first time, abuse does not have to be physical or violent.

Economic Abuse will be recognised

The bill will recognise economic abuse, (also known as financial abuse) which is where a partner is prevented from accessing bank accounts or employment. The victim becomes financially controlled. They may not be allowed to go out to work, or if they are employed, their wages may be paid into their partners account or they may not have access to benefits as they are given to a partner. December 2016 saw the introduction of the new law meaning that coercive or controlling behaviour is now a crime. This offence carries a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment, a fine or both.

The future

Slowly changes are being made. Escaping a domestic abuse situation leaves victims susceptible to many issues which also affect children as a parent may find themselves homeless, relying on foodbanks for daily essentials along with dealing with their mental health as they navigate the family court system against their perpetrator. Emotions run high and post separation abuse can be rife. The abuser is losing control and many say that economic abuse is the “tail” of physical abuse as the victim is out of arms reach.  Read the rest of this article here

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