Protecting victims – Domestic Violence Protection Order

FORCEWIDE

Domestic abuse can happen to anybody at any time, it is not discriminatory on age, sexual orientation, gender, background, or religion. However, we do see women being disproportionately affected by domestic abuse, and tackling violence against women and girls remains an utmost priority for our force.

To protect victims of domestic abuse, our officers often utilise Domestic Violence Protection Orders. The use of a DVPO enables our officers alongside the courts to put suitable measures in place following an incident of domestic abuse to protect victims.

A Domestic Violence Protection Order can be used for a variety of reasons, but all with the same priority in mind, to protect the victim.  Whether an investigation is currently ongoing, or the victim is unsure if they would like our support following an incident a DVPO is there to keep them safe.

Once a Domestic Violence Protection Order is in place, for a period of 28 days following the original report of domestic abuse, our patrol officers will visit the victim, to check in, make sure they are okay and facilitate any support they may need whether that be through us or our partner agencies.

Whilst the DVPO is in place to safeguard the victim following the original report, it provides the perpetrator of the domestic abuse with conditions whilst a thorough investigation is conducted by officers. If any of the conditions of the order are breached the suspect is then arrested.

Patrol Superintendent Gary Foster said: “Domestic Violence Protection Orders are an invaluable tool to assist us in protecting members of the public when they have been a victim of domestic abuse, the orders give our patrol officers powers to remove perpetrators from addresses where a victim resides during routine visits, which is invaluable in allowing us to seek to support victims, even when they may not be confident in going to court.

“By using these orders, each individual set of circumstances surrounding the individuals is thoroughly reviewed and risk assessed to ensure that everybody involved is safeguarded whilst we conduct our investigation and refer to partner agencies.

“Quite often members of our communities don’t think what they have been subjected to is in fact domestic abuse as sadly it may have become the norm to them. That is why it is our job, when there is a high level of risk of harm to do what we can to help.

“There is never an excuse for this behaviour, and even if it does happen just once, you can come to us whether that is to report it or for additional support”

To find out more about Domestic Violence Protection Orders click here