Domestic abusers face tougher restrictions as new court orders launched to keep them away from victims

27 November 2024, 10:17

Woman looking out of window on rainy day. Conept image; female depression, domestic abuse, self isolation, quarantine, Coronavirus,
Domestic abusers will face tougher restrictions from Wednesday. Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

Domestic abusers will face tougher restrictions from Wednesday with the launch of new court orders to keep them away from their victims.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The new domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs), legislated for by the previous government in 2021, are set to be trialled in parts of England and Wales before being rolled out across the country.

The new orders can be imposed by any court and bring together powers in other protective orders to provide "flexible and long-term protection" for victims of domestic abuse, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs said.

They are intended to cover all forms of domestic abuse and, unlike some orders that only last for 28 days, will have no time restrictions.

'Robust protection'

Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said: "More than two million people are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year - a number that is appalling, frightening and we are determined to change.

"That's why one of our first acts against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened domestic abuse protection orders.

"By bringing together the strongest elements of existing orders into a flexible order that covers all forms of domestic abuse and has no time limit, we'll ensure more victims receive the robust protection they deserve."

Wood gavel lays on desk inside the Senate of the Texas Capitol building in Austin, Texas
Breaching the requirements of an order will be a criminal offence . Picture: Alamy

Along with imposing exclusion zones, the orders can make positive requirements of abusers such as attending behaviour change programmes.

Breaching the requirements of an order will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison.

Family courts will also be able to impose tagging for up to 12 months in the most serious cases, something that previously could only be done by criminal courts or the police.

Read more: Forty per cent more rape victims abandon cases as court delays worsen

Read more: Electric vehicle plans aren't working, minister admits, after Vauxhall owner says it will close van factory

Another innovation is that a victims' friends and family will be able to apply for an order on their behalf, which victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said would "reduce the pressure on victims".

She said: "It takes tremendous courage for victims of domestic abuse to seek help. Our role in Government is to make this as straightforward as possible."

The new orders will be trialled in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and by the British Transport Police, with further pilots in Cleveland and North Wales early in 2025 prior to a national rollout.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

The blurry thieves stole £3,000 worth of cigarettes and vapes.

Police release CCTV after thieves steal £3,000 of vapes - but images leave the public calling for 'the ghostbusters'

Julie Goodyear

Julie Goodyear's husband shares rare photo of Coronation Street star two years on from dementia diagnosis

: An aerial view shows the scorched graveyard around a church following a large blaze the previous day, on July 20, 2022 in Wennington, Greater London

Londoners urged not to have barbecues this weekend amid soaring temperatures 'because of wildfire risk'

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Lord Sugar labels Trump tariffs 'a disaster' - as Apprentice star teases potential US Presidential meeting

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Husband left 'utterly bereft' after Brit mum and two daughters killed in New York car crash

The Nintendo Switch 2 will release on June 5, 2025

Nintendo Switch 2: Exciting reveal, but why is it more expensive here?

BRITAIN-FUNERAL-POLICE

Funeral director charged with 64 offences including fraud, theft and preventing 30 lawful burials

swallow-tail

Brits urged to 'stop mowing lawns' amid 'national butterfly crisis' with more than half of species in decline

Kyle Kitchen, 38, murdered eight-week-old Primose Kane

Dad who murdered daughter by violently shaking her as baby is jailed for life

Buildings that were destroyed during the Israeli ground and air operations in Gaza

Israel expands ground attack on Gaza to seize 'large areas' - despite pleas from hostage families

Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, tried to kill his estranged wife

Old Etonian who tried to murder his estranged partner by throwing her down a 240ft well is jailed for 24 years

Kaliyah Coa, 11, was reportedly down at the water when she was 'swept away'

Pictured: Missing 11-year-old 'swept away' while paddling in the River Thames

Hot cross buns could be scarce this Easter as farmers continue to protest against Rachel Reeves' 'tractor tax'.

Hot cross bun shortage looms as farmers escalate 'tractor tax' protests

Tanesha Melbourne-Blake was shot

Teenage girl shot dead during gang 'ride-out' following social media humiliation

Mother and two children struck and killed by a vehicle in Brooklyn, New York: driver operating suspended license

Brit mum and daughters, eight and five, killed in crash by driver who said 'I have the devil in me'

Deborah Gosling, donor Julie Wild’s twin sister, greets Corinne Hutton in an emotional first meeting

Hand transplant recipient hugs donor's sister in emotional first meeting