About domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between anyone who has been ‘personally connected’. This includes current or ex partners, family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders (DVPOs)

A DVPO is a civil order that can be used to protect victims of domestic violence in the immediate aftermath of an incident. It allows the police to ban a perpetrator from returning to a specific residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days. This gives the victim time to consider their options and get the support they need.

DVPOs are often used when there is not enough evidence to charge the perpetrator with a criminal offence, or when the victim does not want to press charges. They can also be used in addition to criminal charges.

How to apply for a DVPO

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can apply for a DVPO by contacting the police. They will assess your situation and decide whether a DVPO is necessary. If it is, they will help you to apply for one.

What happens if a DVPO is granted?

If a DVPO is granted, the perpetrator will be served with a notice. This notice will tell them what they are not allowed to do, such as returning to the specific residence or having contact with the victim. If the perpetrator breaches the DVPO, they could be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.

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