This website is for information only and you cannot access help through it. If you are at risk or need immediate help, call 999 from any phone.
Domestic abuse is when someone you live with, are in a relationship with, or used to be in a relationship with hurts, scares or controls you.
It can happen to anyone, and it is never the person who is being abused's fault.
Domestic abuse can include:
Physical abuse - hitting, pushing, hurting your body.
Emotional abuse - shouting, insults, threats or making you feel scared or worthless.
Controlling behaviour - telling you what you can do, who you can see, or checking your phone or money.
Financial abuse - taking your money, stopping you from working, or not letting you access your own finances.
Sexual abuse - forcing you to do sexual things you don't want to do.
Online/digital abuse - monitoring you, sending threats or using your social media without permission.
If someone makes you feel unsafe, scared or controlled, it may be domestic abuse.
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (a DAPO) is a new type of legal order that can help to keep you safe.
DAPOs are being tried in some areas. These areas are: Greater Manchester, North Wales, the London Boroughts of Croydon, Bromley and Sutton, Cleveland. If you do not live in these areas, you can still get help and legal orders to keep you safe, but they are different.
A DAPO can:
Stop the abusive person from contacting you.
Stop the abusive person from coming to your workplace or anywhere else you spend time.
Make the abusive person follow certain rules to protect you.
Make the abusive person wear a tag so they can be tracked.
Make the abusive person do a course to help understand and change their behaviour.
You do nnot have to live with the person or be in a relationship with them to get a DAPO.
DAPOs and non-molestation orders are alike in many ways:
Both are made by a judge to keep the abuser away and protect the victim.
Usual rules: no contact, no threats, no harassment.
They usually last about a year, cost nothing, and can be made without the abuser knowing (though they can challenge it).
Breaking the order is a crime and can mean up to 5 years in prison or a fine.
What’s different about DAPOs?
More people can apply: police, British Transport Police, the victim, family/friends, or the judge can make one in a case without any application.
Easier to get: even after one incident, no time limits, no need for a long relationship.
Can include rules like keeping the abuser out of the home or letting the victim return.
Extra conditions can be added:
Electronic tag
Attend behaviour or substance programmes
Report to police within 3 days (they can take fingerprints/photos).
You can reach out to:
Police - If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services.
Domestic Abuse Charities - such as local domestic abuse services, or national helplines.
Your GP or health professional - they can connect you to support services.
Social services - if you or your children are at risk.
Legal advice centres or the Citizens Advice Bureau - for help understanding your rights and applying for protective orders.
You might be entitled to legal aid to help you - speak to a solicitor. If you need help finding a solicitor, click here to use the gov.uk find a solicitor tool.
You need to fill out an application form and a written statement about what has happened and why you need an order. You either use the statement form or one you write your own.
You will need to think about dates when something happened and details so you can give as much information as possible. You might want to show pictures or messages you have received as part of your statement.
If you are very worried that an order is needed quickly you can ask the Court office to give you a hearing within a day or so and not to tell the other person. This is called an ‘ex parte’ hearing.
There is no fee charged for making an application – it is free to apply.
The application is looked at and a date will be given for a hearing. Sometimes a judge can make an order after reading an application and statement – or they can ask for a hearing date to be arranged when everyone attends.
Yes. There will be a hearing before a Judge or before Magistrates with a legal adviser. Both Judges and Magistrates have the same powers to make orders.
You can ask for a separate waiting room and for a screen to be in the courtroom so you don’t see the other person before, during and after the hearing if that is something you are worried about. If you don’t have a solicitor or barrister you can ask for someone to come into the courtroom with you for support. They are called a ‘McKenzie Friend’. They will have to fill in a form so the Judge or Magistrates have a record of who they are.
You need to book in with the Court usher when you arrive. When the case is ready you go into the courtroom with the other party to see the Judge or Magistrates.
The Court might make an order at that hearing – or ask for more information and give you another date to come back to Court.
The first hearing is a short hearing, usually about 30 minutes. If there is another hearing you will be told how long it will be for.
If the other person was at Court the order will sent to them. If they weren’t at the Court hearing the order will need to be handed to them.
Once the order is given to the other person the police can enforce it.
The police will investigate any report of a breach of the order. Any prosecutions will be in the criminal Court.