Psychiatric evidence in domestic abuse claims
Independent psychiatric assessment of the harm caused by abuse within a relationship or family: violence, sexual abuse, coercive control, stalking and honour-based abuse, for claimant, defendant and single joint expert instructions. Free initial screening call and fixed fees with no hidden charges.
- APIL Tier 1 Recommended Expert
- Claimant, defendant and SJE
- Reports usually 1–2 weeks from assessment
Psychiatric injury from domestic abuse
Dr Pradhan assesses psychiatric injury arising from domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, honour-based abuse, sexual violence and other gender-based trauma. Her reports address diagnosis, vulnerability, causation, risk and the functional impact of trauma on relationships, work, parenting and day-to-day life.
Domestic abuse is rarely a single event. The report sets out the history of the relationship, the forms the abuse took and how the claimant’s mental health changed over time, and it separates the effects of the abuse from earlier vulnerability and other events. Delayed and inconsistent disclosure across records is treated as part of the clinical picture.
Dr Pradhan is an APIL Tier 1 recommended expert and is dual-accredited for claimant and defendant work.
What the report covers
Reports in domestic abuse claims commonly address:
- PTSD and complex PTSD after domestic abuse
- Depression, anxiety and panic
- The effect of coercive control on confidence, independence and self-image
- Fear, hypervigilance and the effect of continuing contact or proceedings
- Sexual abuse within the relationship
- Stalking and harassment after separation
- Honour-based abuse and culturally specific presentation
- Earlier trauma, and pre-existing vulnerability
- Self-harm, substance misuse and suicide risk
- The effect on work, finances, parenting and relationships
- Treatment needs, prognosis and future vulnerability
- Supplementary questions, joint statements and second opinions
Send a short outline of the relationship and the abuse alleged, the relevant dates and any limitation date, and Dr Pradhan will confirm the scope of opinion and a fixed fee.
Submit an enquiry
Coercive control and its effects
Coercive control works through isolation, monitoring, threats and humiliation, and its effects can be harder to see than injuries from violence. The assessment examines how the claimant’s confidence, independence and relationships changed during the relationship and afterwards, and whether the symptoms meet the criteria for a recognised psychiatric disorder.
Where the claimant is still in contact with the abuser, for example through child arrangements or other proceedings, the report considers how that contact affects their symptoms and their prognosis.
Conditions commonly assessed
- PTSD
- Complex PTSD
- Depressive disorder
- Anxiety and panic
- Adjustment disorder
- Substance misuse
Forms of abuse
- Physical violence
- Sexual abuse
- Coercive control
- Stalking and harassment
- Economic abuse
- Honour-based abuse
The questions the claim turns on
Domestic abuse claims raise particular questions for the psychiatric evidence:
- How much of the claimant’s condition is due to the abuse, rather than earlier trauma or the end of the relationship?
- How does continuing contact with the abuser, including through other proceedings, affect the symptoms and the prognosis?
- What treatment is needed, and can it start while proceedings are still under way?
Whether the abuse happened, and the legal routes to compensation, are for the court and the solicitor. The report gives the psychiatric opinion on the factual basis in the instructions.
Submit an enquiryDomestic abuse in UK law
In England and Wales, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 sets out a statutory definition of domestic abuse, and controlling or coercive behaviour is a criminal offence. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own domestic abuse offences covering a course of abusive behaviour.
Compensation may come through a civil claim, including for harassment, or through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority for a crime of violence, where an award for mental injury needs a diagnosis or prognosis by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. The CICA scheme covers England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland has its own scheme. For claims in England and Wales the report is structured for CPR Part 35; reports for Scotland and Northern Ireland are prepared to the requirements of those courts.
Domestic abuse is abusive behaviour between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected, including controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and psychological or emotional abuse. The Act applies in England and Wales.
Related pages
Domestic abuse claim questions
If your question is not answered here, call and Dr Pradhan will advise on scope and timescale.
Call 0121 752 6065Does Dr Pradhan assess the effects of coercive control?
Yes. She assesses psychiatric injury arising from coercive control, as well as physical and sexual violence, stalking and honour-based abuse, and explains whether the effects amount to a recognised psychiatric disorder.
The claimant still has contact with the abuser. Does that affect the report?
It can affect the symptoms and the prognosis. The report considers continuing contact, including through other proceedings, and its effect on recovery.
Can the report be used for a CICA application?
Yes. A CICA award for mental injury needs a diagnosis or prognosis by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.
Can the assessment take account of safety concerns?
Yes. Tell Dr Pradhan about any safety concerns or adjustments when you send the case details, so that the arrangements take account of them.
Is there a time limit for a domestic abuse claim?
In England and Wales, a personal injury claim must normally be brought within three years of the abuse or the date of knowledge, with the court’s discretion to allow a later claim; a claim under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 has six years. Scotland and Northern Ireland have three-year limits with the court’s discretion. Abuse suffered under 18 is treated differently: in England and Wales there has been no time limit for sexual abuse since 29 June 2026, and in Scotland there is none for abuse suffered as a child on or after 26 September 1964. Where the discretion is in issue, the report can explain the psychiatric reasons for delay.
How quickly can a report be delivered?
Usually 1–2 weeks from assessment, and urgent reports can often be provided in 2–5 working days where the papers and appointment can be arranged promptly.
Instruct Dr Pradhan on a domestic abuse claim
Send a short outline of the claim and the issues, the funding route and any limitation or hearing dates.
- Phone0121 752 6065
- Emailinfo@
doctorpradhan.co.uk - Consulting Rooms NationwideAbacus Court, Harborne, Birmingham B17 0HH
Please do not include medical records or a detailed personal history in this form. Dr Pradhan will confirm how to send the papers once the instruction is agreed.
Case enquiry
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If the matter is urgent, call 0121 752 6065.