Deciding to involve the police is a significant step. They should take your report seriously and treat you with respect.

• Giving a Statement: They will ask you to provide a detailed account of what happened. You can ask for a female officer if you prefer. Try to be as factual as possible. The Evidence Locker can help you recall dates and details.
• Crime Reference Number: You will be given a crime reference number. Keep this safe. It's a key part of your case file.
• Next Steps: The police will investigate based on your statement and evidence. This could lead to an arrest, charges, or other outcomes.

The period between reporting and giving a formal statement can be very stressful. Read our guide on coping while waiting to give a statement.

A Non-Molestation Order is a type of injunction issued by a court to prevent a partner or ex-partner from threatening violence, intimidating, harassing, or pestering you.

You can apply for one through a solicitor or, in some cases, on your own. If the abuser breaches the order, it is a criminal offence, and you should call the police immediately.

Protective orders like Non-Molestation Orders are typically granted for a fixed period (e.g., 6 or 12 months, but can be longer). If you believe you are still at risk as the order's expiration date approaches, you can apply to the court to have it extended.

To do this, you will generally need to:

• Apply Before Expiry: It is best to start the process well before the current order expires.
• Provide Evidence: You will need to show the court that there is an ongoing risk of harm or harassment from the person. Any breaches of the current order, continued attempts at contact, or other incidents you've logged in your Evidence Locker can be very important here.
• Seek Legal Advice: This process can be complex. It is highly recommended to speak with a solicitor who specializes in family law. They can guide you through the application process and represent you in court.

In a legal context, a "count" refers to a single, individual charge for a specific criminal act. If a person is charged with "30 counts of abuse," it means they are being accused of 30 separate, distinct instances of abusive acts.

For example:

• A threatening email sent on Monday could be **Count 1**.
• A harassing phone call on Tuesday could be **Count 2**.
• An act of physical violence on Wednesday could be **Count 3**.

Prosecutors use multiple counts to demonstrate to the court that the abuse was not a one-off incident, but a persistent pattern of behaviour. This is why using the Evidence Locker to log every single incident is so critical—each entry helps to build a case and show the full extent of the abuse.