What are Domestic Abuse Protection Orders?
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order is a type of measure designed to protect victims from both immediate and long-term abuse.
DAPO’s were introduced by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. They were piloted for the first time in England and Wales in 2024, initially introduced in areas such as Greater Manchester, Southeast London and with British Transport Police. The intention of the Home Office was for DAPO’s to become “the go to” protective order for victims, consolidating the existing protective measures into one comprehensive order.
O que é o abuso doméstico?
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse as behaviour towards another person which is abusive. The parties must be aged over 16 or over and personally connected to one another.
The Act states domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Physical or sexual abuse
- Violent or threatening behaviour
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Economic abuse
- Psychological, emotional or other abuse.
Novos avisos e ordens de proteção contra os abusos domésticos
In March 2025, England and Wales piloted the new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPN) e 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) e Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs). Find out more…
What are the requirements of a DAPO?
There are various conditions to be met before a DAPO can be obtained.
Firstly, to be protected from a DAPO, you will need to be “personally connected” to the other person. For example, you could apply for a DAPO against your current partner, if you previously lived together or were in a relationship, or you are related in some way.
A DAPO can only be made if the perpetrator is living in a pilot area. If the perpetrator does not reside in a pilot area, you can consider making an application for an alternative measure such as a non-molestation order. It does not matter where you live, as long as the perpetrator lives in the pilot area.
The court must feel a DAPO is both proportionate and necessary to protect you from domestic abuse or the risk of domestic abuse. The court must be satisfied that it is more likely than not that the perpetrator has been abusive towards you.
DAPO’s are designed to be flexible and they can protect you in many different ways. For example, a DAPO may prevent a perpetrator from coming to your home or your workplace. Alternatively, a DAPO can place a positive obligation on your perpetrator. Froe example, the DAPO may require the perpetrator to take part in a specific programme. The precise requirements will depend upon your individual circumstances.
If a DAPO is breached, the consequences can be very serious. If the court determines the perpetrator has breached the order without what is known as reasonable excuse, there could be a penalty of up to 5 years in prison, a fine, or both.
There is no minimum or maximum time limit for a DAPO. The court will consider how long you will need protection for.
How can I obtain a DAPO?
There are several different ways you can obtain a DAPO. For further information, these are outlined on the government website.
Firstly, you can make an application for a DAPO yourself. In order to do this, you will need to complete a form DA1 and a supporting witness statement. The forms must be sent to your local court using their email address, posted or delivered in person.
The order then becomes effective on the day it is made. Once the court has approved the order, the order should be served on the perpetrator. If you have legal representation, this can be arranged by them. If you do not have legal representation, there are further forms to complete so the court can arrange service for you. It is very important to note you must not serve the order yourself.
You can also make an application for a DAPO as part of family law proceedings, criminal proceedings and civil proceedings.
A DAPO can also be issued by the police, or a third party can apply for a DAPO on your behalf. This could be a family member or a friend. If you are applying on behalf of someone else, you will need to complete forms DA1 and DA2.
What are the current pilot areas?
The current pilot areas can be found on the government website.
The areas where you can currently seek a DAPO include the following:
- London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton, and Bromley
- Greater Manchester
- The British Transport Police
- Hartlepool
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar
- Cleveland
- Stockton-on-Tees
- North Wales (Isle of Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham)
Get in Touch with our Domestic Abuse Solicitors in London and Brighton
Em Goodman Ray, we are able to apply for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) as part of family Court proceedings.
We can submit an application to a family Court for a DAPO. If there is already an ongoing family Court case involving both the victim and the perpetrator, we can lodge the application directly with that Court.
Even if the perpetrator is facing criminal proceedings for another offence connected to the victim, we can still ask the Court to issue a DAPO, regardless of whether a conviction has been secured.
Please contact our team to discuss your circumstances and receive tailored legal advice. You can get in touch with us by completing our online enquiry form on our website or contact us via telephone on 020 7608 1227.
Domestic Abuse FAQs
A Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) is an emergency measure issued by the police to safeguard someone experiencing domestic abuse. It places immediate conditions on the suspected perpetrator, such as prohibiting them from contacting the victim or returning to the victim’s home.
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) is a Court-issued order designed to provide longer-term protection. It can include restrictions on the perpetrator as well as positive obligations, such as attending behaviour change programmes or complying with electronic monitoring.
In England and Wales, a DAPO can be requested by the police, the victim, or their legal representatives during family or criminal proceedings. Legal professionals can guide and support individuals through the application process.
A Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) is issued by the police as an immediate, short-term measure following a domestic abuse incident. A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO), however, is granted by the Court and can provide longer-lasting protection with conditions tailored to the circumstances of the case.
Once a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) has been issued, the police are required to apply to the Court for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO), which is typically heard within 48 hours. In urgent situations, the Court can grant a DAPO quickly to help ensure the victim remains protected.
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