Statutory guidance: Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Statutory guidance supporting the understanding of the definitions of 'domestic abuse' and 'personally connected' as set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Domestic Abuse: statutory guidance

This statutory guidance is issued under section 84 (2) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 about the effect of section 1 (the definition of ‘domestic abuse’) and section 2 (the definition of ‘personally connected’), and section 3, recognising children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.

It has been designed as a framework document to support organisations to identify and respond to domestic abuse, including by conveying standards and promoting best practice.

The guidance has been informed by the results of a public consultation carried out in August and September 2021.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 statutory guidance applies to England. It applies to Wales only as it relates to matters in Wales that are reserved to the UK government – this is primarily policing, and criminal, civil and family justice.

It is aimed at statutory and non-statutory bodies working with victims, (including children), or perpetrators of domestic abuse, and to those dealing with other consequences of domestic abuse.