Nigella

How did they manage to get divorced so quickly??

and, often, there is no-one there to witness the assault only the resulting injuries.

I used to live in a street where there was a womens refuge, speaking with the women many of them said they only found the courage to leave their abusive partner when he started hitting the children.

One day there was a lot of shouting coming from the refuge and when my DH and I went to see what was happening a man was outside shouting and swearing and demanding his wife and children come out. My DH stood between the man and the door and said if he wanted to hit someone perhaps he should try someone able to fight back. The man immediately backed down and left.

henetha no money/child support issues to delay things, they both walk away.

sunseeker a brave man your DH, it takes courage to stand up to a bully. Well done him.

Never have anything to do with a man you suspect is controlling - at the first sign - LEAVE!

Henetha - possibly they were already going through a divorce when the incident happened?

Janepearce6 - I totally agree with you, but sadly some women dont recognize controlling behaviour - I didn't when it happened tome age 18 -it took me 9 years to leave - the constant fear , lack of self esteem, and wherewithal to get your act together to leave is very hard

I now chair a womens group that does a lot in the DV field, and supportsthe local refuge

I think if both agree t o irretrievable breakdown and neitber is asking for financial support etc no custody etc it can be achieved within abt 6 weeks ( to get final papers) Any lawyers out there??

Ella46 When do you date the beginning of women's rights starting to be acknowledged? I was referring to an incident in the 1990s.

Well, I couldn't date it absent, but acknowledging rights and actually having legislation and guidelines for the police to follow isn't the same thing.

I am full of admiration for Nigella Lawson who has maintained a dignified silence throughout...so far. Perhaps one day she might be brave enough to reveal the full extent of the abuse she endured throughout her marriage. He is obviously out of control if he can behave so badly in public but perhaps thinks money can solve everything. Some other woman tempted by his dosh will suffer the same fate. Every picture tells a story, photographs of her arriving back to Heathrow just before the divorce hearing show a drawn, stressed lady who has escaped to get out of the public eye. She has had such an unhappy time I do hope she can find true happiness again.

I agree tigger she has been very dignified.