Statutory guidance published for the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (updated)

Published 8 July 2022

Last updated 14 March 2023 — See all updates

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

Details

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’)
• section 2 (the definition of ‘personally connected’)
• section 3 (recognising children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right)

It is a framework document designed to support organisations to identify and respond to domestic abuse and promote best practice.

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

The statutory guidance applies to England. It applies in Wales only to matters that are reserved to the UK government – 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 at those dealing with other consequences of domestic abuse.