Domestic Violence Protection Orders – protecting victims of domestic abuse from harm

Our ongoing work to safeguard and protect vulnerable victims of domestic abuse and bring offenders to justice has resulted in 33 perpetrators receiving Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) in the last three weeks.

Officers from teams across Merseyside Police including Investigations and Local Policing, working in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), have secured Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) to safeguard victims and proactively manage some of the most persistent offenders.

A DVPO is a civil order that can be used to protect victims of domestic abuse in the immediate aftermath of an incident. It allows the police to ban a perpetrator from returning to a specific residence and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days, harassing the victim by making lots of phone calls, or sending constant texts. This gives the victim time to consider their options and get the support they need.

DVPOs are often used when there is not enough evidence to charge the perpetrator with a criminal offence, or when the victim does not want to press charges. They can also be used in addition to criminal charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Dyer said: “Protecting vulnerable people and bringing perpetrators of domestic abuse to justice is an ongoing commitment of Merseyside Police. We remain relentless in our pursuit of offenders, in order to keep all of our communities safe.

“Domestic abuse comes in many forms, it isn’t just physical – it can be emotional, sexual, financial or controlling behaviour and it can happen to anyone, regardless of race, disability, religion, sexuality, or gender. Quite often victims are too scared to take action for various reasons, but we want to ensure that they know there is help and support for them going forward. We will support them through the whole criminal justice process working with a variety of partners, who can help with other support including accommodation, psychological and financial support.

“These protection notices and orders can bridge the gap in providing immediate emergency protection to the victim where there is an on-going risk of violence. If someone breaches a notice they will be subject to immediate arrest and can then be remanded in custody to appear before a court for a full order to be considered. A breach of an order can lead to a fine ranging from £50 up to a maximum of £5000, and or two months imprisonment. They play an important part in the early safeguarding of victims, keeping them away from further harm.”

Detective Chief Inspector Dyer added: “I would urge anyone who has been subjected to domestic abuse to have the confidence to come forward and speak to our officers and feel reassured that we will support them, thoroughly investigate any allegations and bring offenders to justice. 

“Despite not wanting to provide a statement out of fear, one of the victims stated that she was really happy with the outcome, which gave her the space she needed to end the relationship. Please reach out to Merseyside Police or the partners we work with so we can protect you or anyone that does come forward and take decisive action against abusers.”

What is the difference between at DVPN and a DVPO?

A Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) is an initial notice of immediate emergency protection that is issued by a police force to protect the victim for 48 hours to prevent the suspect from contacting the victim and potentially being used as an eviction notice to the suspect. This order can be extended by up to 28 days by magistrates, who issue a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). This allows the victim further time to think and be separated from the suspect.

How to apply for a DVPO

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can apply for a DVPO by contacting the police. They will assess your situation and decide whether a DVPO is necessary. If it is, they will help you to apply for one.

What happens if a DVPO is granted?

If a DVPO is granted, the perpetrator will be served with a notice. This notice will tell them what they are not allowed to do, such as returning to the specific residence or having contact with the victim. If the perpetrator breaches the DVPO, they could be arrested and charged with a criminal offence.