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This guide looks at Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs).
Overview
Sections 24 to 33 of the Crime and Security Act 2010 provide police and the court with Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs). These are preventive options intended to keep victims of domestic abuse safe by providing them with a temporary period of respite from the perpetrator. This affords the victim ‘breathing space’ and allows support agencies to offer fast time support without any intrusion from the perpetrator.
A DVPN is a notice served by the police on a person, where there is a reasonable belief that the person has been violent or has threatened violence against a victim and the victim needs to be protected from that person. A DVPN cannot be issued to a person under 18 years.
A DVPN can:
- prevent the perpetrator from molesting (harassing and interfering) the victim directly or indirectly
- prevent the victim (and their children) from being evicted or excluded from premises in which they live with the perpetrator
- require the perpetrator to immediately leave the premises when served the notice
- prevent he perpetrator from entering the premises
- prevent the perpetrator from coming within a specified distance of the premises
Once served, a DVPN is in place for up to 48 hours.
A DVPO is an order granted by a Magistrates Court following the issuing of a DVPN by the police. Within 48 hours of serving a DVPN on a person, police are required to attend a Magistrates' court with the DVPN and ask the court to consider whether it should be converted to a DVPO. Before granting the order, a Court needs to be satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the perpetrator has been violent towards, or has threatened violence towards the victim; and a DVPO is necessary to protect that person from violence or a threat of violence by the perpetrator. If the court issue the order, then it can last a minimum of 14 days to a maximum of 28 days. A DVPO can contain the same or different prohibitions than that of the DVPN.
The issuing of a DVPO by the court is a two-part process.
Part 1 – Police issue a DVPN when they have reasonable grounds to believe that one person has been violent or threatened violence against another, and the DVPN is necessary to protect the other person from violence or the threat of violence. The person being protected must be ‘associated’ to the person who has used or threatened violence. Association is covered by the s62 of the Family Law Act 1996 and includes:
- current spouses, partners or cohabitees
- former spouses or partners or cohabitees
- relatives
- a relevant child (see legislation for a fuller explanation)
The DVPN has to be authorised by an officer of superintendent rank or above. It becomes effective immediately after it is served on the perpetrator. Generally, they are served following an arrest and whilst the perpetrator is still in custody. However, police can serve them at a perpetrators home address or other place. There is no requirement for recipient to have been charged with a substantive criminal offence for a DVPN to be considered and issued.
Part 2 – within 48 hours of the DVPN being served (excluding Sundays and bank holidays), police must apply to a magistrates’ court for the DVPO. After hearing the evidence of the police, the court may issue a DVPO if they find that the victim requires continued protection from further violence or the threat of violence. The provisions of the DVPN will continue to apply, until the court has reached a decision on the DVPO, even where the court decides to adjourn the case to a further hearing. Once issued a DVPO cannot be revoked, varied or extended.
Both DVPNs and DVPOs can be pursued without the consent and support of the victim, even when they raise objections. In effect the decision-making process is taken away from the victim to ensure that the cycle of abuse is broken, whilst removing any responsibility or pressure from the victim to take action against the perpetrator. There is also no requirement for the victim to attend court. However, every effort should be made to seek the victim’s support and keep them informed of the process. They should also be offered independent support e.g. an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA).
The authorising officer should consider the following when reaching a decision to issue a DVPN:
- the opinion of the victim
- any representations made by the person who will receive the DVPN
- the welfare of any relevant person aged under 18
- the opinion of any ‘associated person’ living at the same address (where the victim and suspect are living together).
The court must consider the same factors when reaching their decision for a DVPO.
A breach of a DVPN is not a criminal offence. Therefore a perpetrator cannot be charged with breaching the notice. Instead they should be arrested and at the earliest opportunity (within 24 hours) be brought before the magistrates’ court for the court to consider the application for the DVPO.
If a DVPO is breached, the perpetrator should be arrested and taken before the court within 24 hours (excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays). Where the court is not sitting the perpetrator will be kept in police custody until the next sitting. A breach will be treated as contempt of court. If found guilty, the court can order the perpetrator to pay a sum not exceeding £50 for every day during which he/she is in breach (up to a maximum fine of £5000), and/or remand the perpetrator to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two months. Again, there is no requirement for the victim to make a statement or go to court. Police provide the evidence of the breach.
The Resources
From the Government
DVPO Government Guidance – Full government guidance on Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs).
Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders – a 2019 Parliamentary publication covering parts of the current Domestic Abuse Bill, setting out a new civil order to replace the DVPOs and DVPNs with new strengthened and robust orders – Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) and Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN).
Domestic Abuse Guidelines for Prosecutors – A lengthy document providing legal guidance for CPS Prosecutors, covering all aspects of Domestic Abuse, including DVPO’s, restraining orders and non-molestation orders.
From the Police
College of Policing guidance – a guide for police on ‘Using domestic violence protection notices and domestic violence protection orders to make victims safer’. This short guidance sets out how police should use DVPO’s and DVPN’s to manage risk and protect victims.
The Legislation
Link to the Government legislation webpage detailing Sections 24 to 31 of the Crime and Security Act 2010, detailing the official legislation for DVPN’s and DVPO’s.
For the Local Authority
Multi-Agency Guidance on DVPO and DVPN: a detailed document originating from Sussex Constabulary for multi-agency partners. Please note, this is specific to Sussex and local processes will differ slightly between local authority areas.
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