Survivors of domestic abuse across North Wales will be better
protected thanks to the expansion of Domestic Abuse Protection
Orders.
From today, victims in this part of the country - as well as
their friends, families or support workers - can apply for these
orders in the family court at Caernarfon, Prestatyn or Wrexham.
Police can also apply on their behalf in the magistrates' court
for protection against abusers. This comes as the Government
reiterates its commitment to halve violence against women and
girls in a decade as part of its Plan for Change.
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders build on existing police powers,
providing stronger protection for victims including forcing
perpetrators to stick to strict exclusion zones wearing
GPS tags and attending substance misuse or mental
health interventions.
Unlike current schemes, these orders cover all types of domestic
abuse – including physical, controlling, or coercive behaviour,
economic abuse and stalking – and can be issued by all courts.
There will also be no maximum duration for these orders, compared
to the 28-days current protection orders offer.
In the year to March 2024, North Wales Police granted 462
Domestic Violence Protection Notices and made over 350
applications under Clare's Law to help protect victims of
domestic abuse. These figures show why more flexible, streamlined
tools like Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will further help
victims.
Today marks the second expansion after the successful launch in
Greater Manchester, three London boroughs (Croydon, Bromley and
Sutton) and with the British Transport Police in November 2024 –
with orders also rolled out across Cleveland in March. Between 27
November and 31 March, over 100 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders
have been secured in Greater Manchester alone, with the police
dealing with 45 breaches and jail time handed down to some of
those who breached the order.
Since then, there have been multiple convictions for breach of an
order with some perpetrators already behind bars. A maximum
sentence for a breach of a Domestic Abuse Protection Orders is
five years in prison.
Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and
Girls, , said:
“The pilot of DAPOs is already helping a number of victims across
England, ending the cycle of abuse trapping them in their own
homes. I am now pleased to be expanding this to selected areas in
my home country of Wales.
“Launching initially in North Wales, the rollout will continue to
protect even more victims, and this helps to contribute to our
Plan for Change.
“These orders work, and it's imperative that victims -
predominantly women - in pilot areas know where and how to access
them. If you're experiencing abuse, contact your local family
court, police, or your support worker today to help access a DAPO
for the safety you deserve.”
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and
Girls, , said:
"Time and time again, victims of domestic abuse tell me their
safety has been compromised by a system that fails to protect
them properly. That's why these new domestic abuse protection
orders are not paper promises - they are real, practical tools
that track abusers through electronic tagging, creating exclusion
zones, and mandating attendance at behaviour change programmes.
“Rolling out these orders to North Wales marks an important step
in gathering more valuable insight as we work towards wider
expansion across the country. This is how we'll deliver on our
mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade
- through concrete actions that truly protect victims and hold
perpetrators to account.”
Secretary of State for Wales said:
“The UK Government is working to make our communities safer, and
it is vital that we reduce violence against women and girls to
achieve this goal.
“These new orders provide stronger protection for victims of
domestic abuse, simplify their access to help and ensure court
powers are more stringent than ever before.
“We are delivering change for people across the country and
victims of appalling violence across North Wales will now have
the protection they deserve.”
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Cymru-Wales,
said:
“Domestic Abuse Protection Orders are another vital way for our
prosecutors to protect victims of these terrible crimes.
“We can ask the court for an order if someone is convicted, or if
they are acquitted, and will be looking to prosecute anybody who
breaches that order.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- Domestic Abuse Protection Orders were launched in November
2024 across Greater Manchester, three London boroughs (Croydon,
Bromley and Sutton) and with the British Transport Police.
- In March 2025 they were extended to Cleveland.
- The DAPO is a joint policy shared between the Ministry of
Justice and the Home Office and was legislated for in Domestic
Abuse Act 2021.
- Tagging can be imposed for up to 12 months at a time.
