New police powers will help domestic violence victims
From today police officers in Shropshire have new powers enabling them to give domestic abuse victims a breathing space to consider their future options.
It is hoped the new powers called Domestic Violence Protection Orders will improve immediate protection for victims and their children as well as reducing incidents of domestic abuse over the longer term.
The new powers mean that officers entering a home in the immediate aftermath of domestic violence can prevent the perpetrator from returning to the address and from having contact with the victim for up to 28 days by initially serving a Notice on them.
This allows the victim a level of breathing space to consider their options, with the help of a support agency.
The magistrates’ court must then hear the case for the Protection Order within 48 hours of the Notice being made.
If granted, the Order may last between a minimum of 14 days and a maximum of 28 days. This strikes a balance between immediate protection for the victim and judicial oversight.
Det Supt Stephen Cullen, Head of Protecting Vulnerable People said “These new powers being rolled out nationwide, give the police and other agencies additional tools to tackle domestic violence and to bring offenders to justice. They also ensure victims have the support they need to help rebuild their lives.
Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin will benefit from the experience already gained by West Mercia Police as they piloted the scheme in Worcestershire. It was later rolled out in Herefordshire. Greater Manchester and Wiltshire also took part in the pilot between June 2011 and 2012. During the pilot over 300 Protection Orders were made over the three policing areas.
Prior to the introduction of DVPO’s, victims of domestic violence only receive immediate protection if the police arrest and charge a perpetrator, and appropriate bail conditions are set or a civil injunction is sought by the victim.
Bill Longmore, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner said “This follows the introduction of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme or Clare's Law in West Mercia on 10 March 2014. Together these new powers are a huge step forward in increasing protection for those directly affected by domestic abuse.
Jan Frances, Chief Executive of West Mercia Women’s Aid said: “We very much welcome the introduction of DVPOs in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin. Agencies working against domestic abuse need a variety of ways to assist victims in moving on from violence to safety, and these new orders will also ensure that perpetrators get the message that society will not tolerate violent and abusive behaviour.”
