 |
answer text |
<p>Tackling domestic abuse is a key priority for this Government and we are committed
to protecting all victims of domestic abuse. To gain protection during divorce proceedings,
victims can apply for a protection order. A Non-Molestation Order protects the victim
and relevant child from abuse or harassment and an Occupation Order can prevent the
person subject to the order from coming near to the family home. In addition, following
an incident of violence, or the threat of violence, the police can apply for a Domestic
Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) to provide immediate protection to the victim, which
can then be followed by a Domestic Violence Protection Order in a magistrate's court.</p><p>The
landmark Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduces a wide-ranging definition of domestic
abuse, and further protection to the millions of people who experience domestic abuse
and strengthens measures to bring perpetrators to justice. The Act introduced the
new Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) and Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO),
which will provide flexible, longer-term protection for victims from all forms of
domestic abuse. The Government is currently undergoing extensive work to prepare the
new order for piloting from next year.</p><p>The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 also extends
the controlling and coercive behaviour offence to apply to ex-partners or family members
who do not live together to ensure the protection of individuals from harm after separation
or divorce.</p><p>Accompanying this legislation, in July 2022, the Government published
detailed statutory guidance to ensure that domestic abuse is properly understood by
public agencies seeking to tackle this abhorrent crime and provide appropriate support
to victims.</p><p>The guidance outlines the many forms domestic abuse can take, including
in a marital setting and the barriers preventing victims from seeking a divorce. It
also recognises specific forms of faith related abuse including coercion to enter
into a marriage and the withholding of a religious divorce, as a threat to control
and intimidate victims which can be present in different forms under different faiths.
The guidance makes clear that safeguarding remains the utmost priority and all victims
should be encouraged by the agencies and organisations they encounter to take appropriate
steps to protect themselves from harm.</p><p>The Home Office is also planning to double
funding for survivors of sexual violence and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline
by 2024-25, and further increase funding for all the national helplines it supports.
Our Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan invests £140 million to support victims, including
over £47 million in ringfenced funding for victims’ services and £27 million is currently
ringfenced funding for 700 ISVAs and IDVAs.</p>
|
|
