Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are a key provision introduced under the Domestic Abuse Act of 2021, designed to offer flexible, long-term protection for victims of domestic abuse. They consolidate and replace existing protective orders - such as Non-Molestation Orders and Domestic Violence Protection Orders - into a single, more robust framework. DAPOs can impose both prohibitions (e.g. banning contact or access to certain locations) and positive requirements (e.g. attending behaviour change programmes or substance misuse treatment), making them more adaptable to individual circumstances.
DAPOs can be applied for by victims, police, relevant third parties (like social workers), or issued by courts during ongoing proceedings. They can be made without the victim’s consent if necessary to ensure their safety. The duration of a DAPO can vary - from a minimum of 28 days to up to 18 months - with the possibility of extension. Breaching a DAPO is a criminal offence, and enforcement is supported by a dual mechanism: civil enforcement through the courts and criminal enforcement by the police.
Bury has been one of the first areas to pilot DAPOs before national rollout. The aim is to simplify the protective landscape, reduce the burden on victims, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable through both restrictions and rehabilitative measures.