New Domestic Abuse Orders Offer Cleveland Victims Stronger Protection
Victims of domestic abuse in Cleveland are set to get greater legal safeguards as Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) expand across the region. This move aims to slash violence against women and girls in half within the next decade, giving hundreds more victims vital protections from abusers and stalkers.
How the New Orders Work
From 5 March, victims, their friends, family, or support workers can apply for a DAPO at Teesside Combined Court Centre. Police can also apply on the victim’s behalf.
These tough orders can:
- Force offenders out with exclusion zones enforced by electronic tagging
- Demand attendance at behaviour change programmes
- Cover all forms of domestic abuse, including:
- Physical violence
- Controlling or coercive behaviour
- Economic abuse
- Stalking
Successful trials in Manchester and London already show these orders carry serious muscle—breaches have led to multiple convictions, with jail terms of up to five years.
Government Voices Back the Expansion
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, hailed the rollout:
“This is a positive step forward in better protecting victims of domestic abuse and in our mission to halve violence against women and girls. The evidence from Manchester and London is that DAPOs are working, and the rollout in Cleveland will provide more victims and families with the immediate protection they deserve from the vile abusers controlling their lives.”
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding, added:
“We know the current protective order regime isn’t working – any victim will tell you that. But these new orders have already proven they can properly safeguard and protect victims. Rolling out these orders to Cleveland will help more victims and provide valuable insight to inform a wider expansion across the country.”
Nationwide Expansion on the Horizon
Following Cleveland’s launch, plans are underway to bring DAPOs to North Wales in April, with a full national rollout expected later this year.
Jim Hope, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, stressed the importance:
“No victim or family should live in fear of their abuser. These new orders will allow the Crown Prosecution Service, alongside police and courts, to better safeguard victims and their families from this horrific offending.”
Help and Support for Domestic Abuse Victims
Amid National Domestic Abuse Awareness Week, the government urges all victims to seek help and use these new protections.
- Call 999 in an emergency
- Use 101 for non-emergencies
- Find local support services via GOV.UK
This landmark expansion marks a major step forward in fighting domestic abuse and ensuring victims in Cleveland get the legal protection they desperately need.
