This guide is maintained as a current resource for July 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Learn how Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) work in England and Wales under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. This guide explains who can apply, what protections orders can include, how long they last, enforcement of breaches and how they fit into broader protective law measures for victims of domestic abuse.
Domestic abuse can take many forms - physical violence, psychological coercion, controlling behaviour, economic abuse and other harmful conduct within personal relationships. When someone is at risk, the justice system in England and Wales provides legal protection to help keep victims safe. A key part of this protection is the Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO), a civil order introduced by recent legislation and now being piloted in selected areas to provide flexible, long‑term safeguards. This article explains what DAPOs are, the law governing them, how they work in practice, who can apply, what terms they can include, enforcement and common questions about their use.
What Are Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)?
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) is a civil protective order designed to protect victims from domestic abuse and the risk of further abuse. It is established under Part 3 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and is intended to offer broader and more flexible legal protection than traditional orders. Unlike shorter‑term protection such as a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO), DAPOs can be tailored to individual circumstances and cover a wider range of abusive behaviours, including non‑physical abuse like coercive control and economic abuse.
DAPOs are currently being piloted in various police force areas, including Greater Manchester, parts of London and North Wales, ahead of a wider national rollout. They can be made in criminal, civil or family court proceedings.
Legal Basis and Purpose
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Parliament provided a statutory framework for orders that protect victims from a person's abusive conduct when there is evidence of abuse or risk of abuse. The legislation recognises that domestic abuse is not limited to physical violence and can include psychological, emotional, economic and coercive behaviours. A DAPO aims to prevent further abuse, manage risks and support victim safety by imposing conditions on the person causing harm.
The order operates alongside other protective measures such as Non‑Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders under the Family Law Act 1996, but is distinct in its origin, scope and enforcement mechanisms.
Who Can Apply for a DAPO?
A DAPO application can be made through several routes:
- Police application - The police can apply for a DAPO on behalf of a victim, often following a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN) which provides immediate protection. A DAPN must be applied to a magistrates' court within 48 hours after it is issued.
- Victim application - A victim of domestic abuse can apply directly to the family court using the prescribed DA1 form.
- Third‑party application - A family member, friend, social worker or domestic abuse support service can apply on behalf of a victim, subject to court permission.
- Court‑initiated orders - During existing criminal, civil or family proceedings involving the victim and alleged perpetrator, a judge can make a DAPO if considered necessary.
There are no court fees for victims applying for a DAPO, although legal representation may be sought through legal aid in qualifying circumstances.
What Conditions Can a DAPO Include?
When a court makes a Domestic Abuse Protection Order, it can include prohibitions and positive requirements to mitigate risk. Typical terms include:
Prohibitions
- No contact - Preventing the perpetrator from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.
- Exclusion zones - Banning the perpetrator from approaching the victim's home, workplace, school or other specified locations.
- Distance restrictions - Keeping the perpetrator at a specified minimum distance from the victim.
Positive Requirements
- Behavioural programmes - Requiring attendance at behaviour change or substance misuse programmes.
- Monitoring conditions - Imposing electronic monitoring (“tagging”) to ensure compliance with terms.
- Reporting requirements - Mandatory notification to police of name, address and any changes within three days.
The court will tailor the content and duration of the DAPO based on what is necessary to protect the victim or reduce the risk of abuse. There is no fixed minimum or maximum duration: the order lasts as long as required for protection and is specified by the court.
Enforcement and Breach
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders are legally binding. Any breach of the requirements - such as failing to comply with a prohibition, breaking an exclusion condition, or not notifying police of a change of address - is a criminal offence. If a person subject to a DAPO disobeys its conditions, the police can investigate and, in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service, decide whether to prosecute. Penalties for breach can include imprisonment, fines, or both.
Electronic monitoring alerts can notify police if a condition like a geographic restriction is violated, prompting enforcement action.
Duration and Variation
The duration of a DAPO is not prescribed by statute, allowing courts flexibility to specify how long the order should operate based on the circumstances of the case. If the victim or police believe the order needs to be extended or varied, an application can be made to the court to change the terms or prolong the order. Similarly, if circumstances change and the order is no longer necessary, an application can be made to discharge it.
Relationship with Other Protective Measures
While DAPOs are a significant new tool, they exist within a broader system of protection orders:
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) - Short‑term orders (up to 28 days) used primarily to protect against immediate risk of violence.
- Non‑Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders - Civil orders under the Family Law Act that protect victims from harassment, threats or removal from a shared home.
DAPOs differ by covering all forms of domestic abuse, operating without a minimum or maximum duration, and being enforceable as criminal offences upon breach.
Practical Considerations
Victims considering a DAPO should understand that:
- Evidence matters - Courts will require sufficient evidence of abuse or risk of abuse.
- Legal support - Although there are no fees for victims applying for a DAPO, obtaining legal advice can be important, and legal aid may be available.
- Multi‑agency involvement - Police, courts and support services often collaborate in applications and enforcement.
- Protection beyond physical violence - The law recognises psychological, economic and coercive behaviours as forms of domestic abuse subject to protection orders.
Common Questions
Do I need to prove a criminal conviction?
No. A DAPO can be made regardless of whether the perpetrator has been convicted, acquitted, or prosecuted for another offence. Courts can make a DAPO if there is sufficient evidence that abuse has occurred or is likely to occur.
Can a third party apply on behalf of a victim?
Yes. Friends, relatives, support workers or social workers can apply to the family court on behalf of a victim, subject to a permission process.
What happens when a DAPO ends?
If protection is needed after expiry, the victim or police can apply for a new order or seek a variation to extend the existing one.
Key Takeaways
A Domestic Abuse Protection Order is a legal order established under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that provides flexible, long‑term protection for victims of domestic abuse. It allows courts to impose prohibitions and positive requirements on perpetrators to prevent further harm, including restrictions on contact, geographic exclusion zones and behavioural conditions. Breach of a DAPO is a criminal offence, and the order can be made by police, victims themselves, third parties or courts during ongoing proceedings. DAPOs are currently being piloted in selected areas and represent an important advance in protective measures for victims of all forms of domestic abuse.
