New Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders
In March 2025, England and Wales piloted the new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPN) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) for police and Courts to follow so they can better assist victims of domestic abuse.
These initiatives replaced the previous Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs).
The implementation of these changes resulted from efforts to provide victims of domestic abuse with more immediate and long-term protection following an incident of abuse.
What is a DAPN?
When a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect abuse has taken place, they can issue a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) with instructions that the alleged abuser must follow, such as having perpetrators stay away from victims’ place of residence.
The police issue a DAPN to perpetrators of domestic abuse to provide immediate protection to victims from all forms of domestic abuse.
Once the police issue a DAPN, they will apply for a DAPO, which is usually heard by a Court within 48 hours.
What is a DAPO?
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) is an order that the Courts and law enforcement can use to impose a variety of conditions and restrictions on a perpetrator of domestic abuse.
A DAPO must include mandatory information, meaning perpetrators must inform the police of their name, address, and any changes to that information within 3 days of the DAPO being made.
On a case-by-case basis, a DAPO can also include a positive requirement calling for the perpetrator to take positive action including going through a behavioural changing program.
Similarly, should the Court feel as though a perpetrator may not adhere to the requirements of the DAPO, they may impose electronic monitoring, or tagging, on the offender.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding, Director of Operational Standards at the College of Policing believes these new measures will do a lot of good
“The new legal tools being piloted by the Home Office will help the police to protect victims and break the cycle of domestic abuse,” said Harding. “More wide-ranging than Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders offer an effective way of protecting victims and can provide a series of robust conditions that perpetrators must follow, or face the prospect of arrest.”
Get in touch with our specialist Domestic Abuse Solicitors London and Brighton
At Goodman Ray, we can make an application for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order within family Court proceedings.
We can go to a family Court to apply for a DAPO. If the victim and perpetrator already have another family Court case open, we can also send the application directly to that Court hearing these existing proceedings.
Should the perpetrator be involved in a criminal Court case for another offence that involves the victim in some way, then we can also request a DAPO be made by the Court regardless of if the perpetrator has been found guilty for that offense.
What is Domestic Abuse?
Find out more about domestic abuse, the different forms of abusive behaviour, and what you can do to safeguard yourself against domestic abuse, by reading our article here.
Domestic Abuse Protection FAQs
A DAPN is an emergency notice issued by the police to protect victims of domestic abuse. It places immediate restrictions on the alleged abuser, such as staying away from the victim’s home or avoiding contact.
A DAPO is a Court order that can impose both restrictions and positive requirements on a perpetrator, such as attending a behaviour change programme or wearing an electronic tag. It offers longer-term protection than a DAPN.
A DAPO can be applied for by the police, victims themselves, or by legal representatives during family or criminal proceedings. At Goodman Ray, we assist clients in applying for DAPOs through the appropriate legal channels.
A DAPN (Domestic Abuse Protection Notice) is issued by the police for short-term protection immediately after an incident. A DAPO (Domestic Abuse Protection Order) is made by the Court and can last longer, with conditions tailored to the case, including mandatory reporting or rehabilitation requirements.
After a DAPN (Domestic Abuse Protection Notice) is issued, the police must apply for a DAPO (Domestic Abuse Protection Order), usually heard by the Court within 48 hours. In urgent cases, a DAPO can be granted swiftly to ensure the victim’s safety.
Contact us today
If you have any questions or wish to get legal advice on any of the topics raised above please feel free to contact us.
Call us on 020 7608 1227
