Government launches tough new restraining order system for domestic abusers
The family courts will be able to force abusers to wear tags for the first time
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Your support makes all the difference.Domestic abusers will be subjected to strict new restraining orders to stop them from harassing their victims under new measures being rolled out by the government.
Domestic abuse protection notices and orders (DAPNs and DAPOs), which are being launched on Wednesday, are due to be tested out in parts of England and Wales before being implemented across the country.
The orders - which criminal, civil and family courts are able to implement - can impose exclusion zones and 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.
Police officers will immediately impose DAPNs after incidents of domestic abuse, which then provides the police with time to apply for a DAPO so the victim is further protected.
The initiative marks the first time the family courts have been able to force abusers to wear tags - electronic devices which monitor their movements.
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Domestic abuse commissioner Nicole Jacobs said 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.
The orders - which were legislated for by the former Tory government in 2021 - are intended to cover all forms of domestic abuse and, unlike some orders that only last for 28 days, will have no time restrictions.
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.
It comes as The Independent continues its Brick by Brick campaign, in partnership with the leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, to raise funds to build two houses for women and children escaping abusive partners.
The initial £300,000 target was surpassed thanks to generous donations from readers. More than £500,000 in donations have flooded in so far, and plans are already underway for a second home.
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.”
A victim’s 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 added: “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 before being rolled out nationally.
Please donate now to the Brick by Brick campaign, launched by The Independent and charity Refuge, to help raise another £300,000 to build a second safe space for women where they can escape domestic abuse, rebuild their lives and make a new future. Text BRICK to 70560 to donate £15.