North Wales rolls out further protections for domestic abuse survivors

From today [28th April], the government has expanded its Domestic Abuse Protection Orders across North Wales for survivors of abuse.

This announcement is part of the government’s Plan for Change and marks an expansion of its efforts to “clamp down” on domestic crime in the region.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders extend existing police authorities by requiring perpetrators to follow strict exclusion zones, wear GPS tags, and attend substance abuse or mental health interventions.

Survivors can request non-molestation orders, prohibit children from being taken away and ask for a longer and stricter restraining orders.

Additionally, this scheme covers all types of domestic abuse, including physical, controlling, or coercive behaviour, as well as economic abuse and stalking.

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 we will be looking to prosecute anybody who breaches that order.”

Up until March 2024, the estimated number of victims of domestic abuse stands at 2,307,000. However, the police have only recorded 851,062 cases, and only 49,046 suspects have faced charges.

Alex Davies-Jones, minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “The pilot of DAPOs is already helping several victims across England, ending the cycle of abuse trapping them in their homes. I am now pleased to be expanding this to selected areas in my home country of Wales.”

462 Domestic violence Protection Notices in North Wales were granted by the police by March 2024, and over 350 applications were made under Clare’s Law to help protect victims of domestic abuse.

Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse. The scheme is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered by her abusive ex-boyfriend in 2009.

The government explains: “The scheme has two elements: the ‘Right to Ask’ and the ‘Right to Know’. Under the scheme an individual or relevant third party (for example, a family member) can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past.

“This is the ‘Right to Ask’. If records show that an individual may be at risk of domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner, the police will consider disclosing the information.”

Jess Phillips, minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: “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.”

Success in Greater Manchester, three London municipalities (Croydon, Bromley, and Sutton), and the British Transport Police in November 2024 inspired orders to be rolled out across Cleveland in March, and today marks the second extension.

Between 27 November and 31 March, Greater Manchester alone obtained over 100 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders. The police addressed 45 violations of these orders, resulting in jail sentences for some of the offenders.