Domestic violence and immigration law: the “domestic violence rule”

This legal guide explains the immigration law and policy relevant to women from abroad who are in the UK on a spouse or partner visa and are experiencing domestic violence. The domestic violence rule, explained in this guide, may apply to you if you are in the UK as the wife, partner or civil partner of someone who is British or has Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

You can download a copy of this legal guide here.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

You can find a list of useful contacts for further support here.

Latest

Family members and protections for victims of domestic violence under the EU Settlement Scheme

This 3-hour online training course looks at Family members under the EU Settlement Scheme and the impact of Domestic Violence related relationship breakdown on immigration status under the Scheme.
FLOWS Answers

We've launched a new free and confidential online criminal law advice service for women in England and Wales called FLOWS Answers. You can write to us using the online tool and a lawyer from the Rights of Women team will email you with a response to your question within 2 weeks.
Specialist Briefing: Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (Community & Voluntary Organisations)
Family Court: IDVA/ISVA attendance & keeping refuge addresses confidential

This training focuses on the interaction between domestic abuse services and the Family Court.

Family Law Advice

Our family law advice lines can advise you on: domestic violence and abuse; divorce, finances and property on relationship breakdown; cohabitation, finances and property on relationship breakdown; parental responsibility and arrangements for children; lesbian parenting.
Family Law Information
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Criminal Law Advice

Our criminal law advice line can advise you on: sexual offences including rape and sexual assault; domestic violence, harassment and stalking; coercive and controlling behaviour; reporting offences to the police and the criminal justice system; criminal injuries compensation; complaints about the police and other criminal justice bodies.
Immigration & Asylum Law Advice

We have three immigration and asylum law advice lines: our EU settlement scheme advice line; our immigration and asylum law advice line; and our professionals' advice line.
Sexual Harassment at Work Advice

Our sexual harassment at work advice line can advise you on: identifying sexual harassment; how to bring a complaint against your employer; advice about grievances and investigations; The Employment Tribunal procedure; Settlement Agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements.
Children and the law: when parents seperate

When parents separate there are sometimes decisions that need to be made about a child’s upbringing. This legal guide sets out general legal information about the types of orders the court can make in relation to children and answers some frequently asked questions.
Criminal Law Information
Domestic Violence Injunctions

It is estimated that domestic violence (also called ‘domestic abuse’) affects one in four women in the UK. If you are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence, there are a number of ways the law can protect you. This legal guide is designed to give information about the protection available to you through the Family Court. Rights of Women publishes a number of other legal guides that may be useful.
Frequently Asked Questions

This page answers some common questions about our advice lines.