Domestic abusers set to face tougher punishments under new protection orders
DOMESTIC abusers will face tougher punishments under new protection orders.
And victims will be able to apply for a restraining order without going to the police.
The new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and Notices can be imposed by all courts, not just criminal ones, with breaches punishable by up to five years in prison.
The notices can be issued by police immediately following any incident of abuse, providing victims with immediate protection.
It came as figures showed only a fraction of domestic abuse cases lead to convictions.
An estimated 2.3million people were the victims of domestic abuse in the year to March 2024.
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Of the 1.4million incidents reported to the police, only 39,000 resulted in criminal convictions, according to ONS data.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said: “More than two million people 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 to deliver on our manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch strengthened Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.”
The new orders will be trialled in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and with the British Transport Police.
It is time for action
By Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones
It takes huge courage for survivors of domestic abuse to come forward. It’s our job to make it as easy as possible for them to get the protection they need as they rebuild their lives.
Vile perpetrators must also be under no doubt they’ll face the consequences of their crimes – something I know Sun readers can get behind.
These new orders will do just that and will play a vital role in our mission to halve violence against women and girls over the next decade.