Divorcing abusive husband cost woman £105k
A woman is campaigning for legal reform after being forced to pay a significant financial settlement to her abusive ex-husband during their divorce. Despite his criminal conviction for coercive control, current family law did not prevent the financial payout.
Why it matters
The case highlights a perceived gap in the legal system where domestic abuse victims may be financially penalized during divorce proceedings.
Image caption, Annabelle Boucher says coercive control needs to be considered by family courts when divorce settlements are reached
A woman who endured years of abusive controlling behaviour by her ex-husband says it has cost her more than £105,000 to divorce him.
Annabelle Boucher, 48, from Somerset, wants the law changed after she paid £75,000 to David Rogers, 61, despite him admitting to coercive and controlling behaviour. She also had to pay her legal costs.
"I thought being stuck in this relationship I couldn't get out of would be highlighted within the divorce procedure," Boucher said. "But the divorce law doesn't take into account the fact that he was a criminal."
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said it had begun a consultation to reform the law so "family courts meet the needs of domestic abuse victims".
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in