Domestic Abuse Response Alliance places 300th Case

Last week, the multi-award-winning Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (DARA) placed its 300th case. We are delighted that such this fantastic initiative and dedicated team have been able to reach this remarkable milestone.

Molly Ashcroft, Beck Fitzgerald Director and DARA lead, said:

“The DARA initiative is a fantastic example of how niche practices like ours can work with city firms to promote access to justice for victim survivors who might otherwise be left vulnerable.”

DARA is an alliance of UK law firms that provides Pro Bono legal advice to survivors of domestic abuse in need of protective injunctions to expand access to justice to some of the most vulnerable in our society.

Across the 300 cases that DARA has now placed, legal representation has been provided for survivors aged 16 – 82 from a broad range of professional and social backgrounds.

DARA started as an alliance of 7 firms when founded by Travers Smith Partner and Head of Pro Bono Sam Cottman in 2022 – now, DARA is 11 firms strong and operates in cities all over the country.

As well as providing court advocacy and legal support, DARA has trained over 350 lawyers on how best to represent survivors of domestic abuse in a trauma informed and culturally sensitive manner.

DARA is a collaborative project founded by Travers Smith and supported by Beck Fitzgerald. It has been a pleasure to see the city and specialist firms such as ours coming together to improve access to justice for those who need it.

The DARA law firms are:

Sam Cottman, Head of Pro Bono and founder of DARA said:

“A few years ago, DARA was just an idea. To have reached 300 cases and have 11 amazing law firms representing these clients up and down the country is a very significant milestone on our journey.

 

We are living through an unprecedented surge in violence and aggression in domestic relationships, particularly against young women. This is fuelled by a toxic online culture and new forms of digital abuse like message monitoring, social media stalking, and non-consensual image sharing.

 

For many of these clients, DARA’s pro bono support, and that of other organisations in this sector, is not just help – it’s their only lifeline. We are proud to be able to support them and determined to continue to stand up against domestic abuse.”

DARA does not take direct referrals. DARA only takes client referrals from NCDV or FLOWS. If you are a domestic abuse survivor in need of support, contact: NCDV or FLOWS. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

For more information about DARA, access their website by clicking this link.

For more information about our work in this area see our news and views

Molly is a Director at Beck Fitzgerald with a formidable reputation in complex children act and finance cases.

Molly’s cases have been pivotal in bringing about significant changes in the law relating to coercive and controlling behaviour and cases where a child is reluctant or resistant to seeing a parent. Her commitment to supporting survivors of domestic abuse has resulted in key strategic partnerships to promote access to justice for victim survivors and their families.