Victims of domestic abuse in Cleveland will benefit from enhanced legal safeguards as Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are introduced across the region. This initiative aims to reduce violence against women and girls by 50% over the next decade, providing hundreds more victims with crucial protection from abusers and stalkers.
From 5 March, victims, their friends, family members, or support workers can apply for a DAPO at Teesside Combined Court Centre. Additionally, police have the authority to apply on behalf of the victim. These robust orders can:
- Force offenders to leave with exclusion zones enforced by electronic tagging
- Require attendance at behaviour change programmes
- Address all forms of domestic abuse, including physical violence, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and stalking
Successful trials in Manchester and London have demonstrated the effectiveness of these orders, with breaches resulting in multiple convictions and jail terms of up to five years.
Government officials have expressed strong support for the expansion. Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, stated: “This is a positive step forward in better protecting victims of domestic abuse and in our mission to halve violence against women and girls. The evidence from Manchester and London is that DAPOs are working, and the rollout in Cleveland will provide more victims and families with the immediate protection they deserve from the vile abusers controlling their lives.”
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding, added: “We know the current protective order regime isn’t working – any victim will tell you that. But these new orders have already proven they can properly safeguard and protect victims. Rolling out these orders to Cleveland will help more victims and provide valuable insight to inform a wider expansion across the country.”
Following Cleveland’s launch, plans are in place to introduce DAPOs to North Wales in April, with a full national rollout anticipated later this year. Jim Hope, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, emphasised the significance: “No victim or family should live in fear of their abuser. These new orders will allow the Crown Prosecution Service, alongside police and courts, to better safeguard victims and their families from this horrific offending.”
During National Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, the government encourages all victims to seek help and utilise these new protections. In an emergency, call 999; for non-emergencies, use 101; and find local support services via GOV.UK.
This landmark expansion represents a major advancement in combating domestic abuse and ensuring victims in Cleveland receive the legal protection they urgently need.
Originally published by UKNIP.
