119 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) issued across Greater Manchester

Since the commencement of the pilot, 119 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) have been issued across Greater Manchester over the last four months.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) are currently being trialled not only in Greater Manchester but also in various areas of South London and by British Transport Police. 

What is a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) 

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) are a new type of order currently being piloted similar to the current scheme of Domestic Violence Protection Notices. 

The aim of the DAPO is to bring together various elements of the existing protective orders into a single order to offer longer term protection for victims of domestic abuse. The intention is for the DAPO to become the ‘go to’ protective order for domestic abuse. 

Essentially the DAPO is the first order available in all court jurisdictions (criminal, family and civil) providing victims with different court routes to the order and an option to identify the most appropriate route. The decision to make DAPOs available in all courts came as a result of feedback during the public consultation and the draft domestic abuse bill. 

Key points about Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs): 

• Duration: No minimum or maximum duration, unlike DVPOs which are limited to 28 days. 
• Breach: Breaching a DAPO without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence, punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine, or both. It can also be treated as civil contempt of court. 
• Access: Available in Family, Civil, and Criminal proceedings with consistent requirements and consequences across all courts. 
• Electronic Monitoring: First civil order to use electronic monitoring (EM) to ensure compliance, applied only when necessary and proportionate. 
• Positive Requirements: Can include actions like attending a behaviour change programme. 
• Prohibitions and Restrictions: Various requirements can be tailored to each case with some DAPOs including only restrictions or prohibitions. 
• Mandatory Notification: The subject must notify police of their name and address changes within three days, with failure to comply resulting in a breach. 
• Condition Durations: Different conditions can have different durations, such as property entry prohibition for 28 days and programme attendance for six months. Tagging can last up to 12 months, with possible extensions if needed. 

Breach of DAPOs 

It is an offence to breach a Domestic Abuse Protection Order. Breach could involve doing anything prohibited by the DAPO or failing without reasonable excuse to do something which is required by the DAPO.  By the end of March 2025, 45 breaches had been identified, most of which were related to offenders failing to register as required. 

So far, 119 DAPOs have been issued across Greater Manchester with 45 breaches identified, resulting in five individuals being sentenced to an immediate custodial sentence. 

Of these, five individuals who breached their order by contacting the victim have been jailed with prison sentences ranging from 14 weeks to four years. 

There are specific offences in relation to breach of a DAPO: 

• Breach of any requirement of a DAPO without reasonable excuse 
• Failing to comply with notification requirements without reasonable excuse or knowingly providing the police with false information 
• Failing to keep in touch with the responsible person for supervising compliance with the requirement and/or notifying them of a change of home address or lack thereof 
• Failure to comply with obligations in relation to electronic monitoring requirements 

The maximum penalty for breach of a DAPO is 5 years imprisonment. 

The government has indicated it wishes for DAPOs to become the new ‘go-to’ order for domestic abuse cases, replacing Domestic Violence Protection Orders which can only be enforced for a maximum of 28 days whilst there is no time limit on the new type of order. 

How can Olliers help? 

The Olliers team of specialist domestic abuse lawyers has substantial experience in successfully representing clients facing allegations of domestic abuse. Our experience means that we understand the complexity of cases involving allegations of domestic abuse. Frequently allegations of domestic abuse run alongside other issues between the parties, for example separation, divorce, issues in relation to children, finances or third-party relationships. 

 We are frequently instructed by clients who have been asked to attend a voluntary interview. If a client was interviewed under arrest, we may be contacted once they are on bail or released under investigation. The pre-charge stage of the case is crucial. It is the opportunity for the defence to go on the front foot, adopting a proactive approach to pre-charge engagement. 

If you face any allegation of a domestic nature, it is important not to sit back and leave the police to investigate the matter. Please contact one of our specialist defence lawyers as soon as possible.