Greater Manchester to get new powers to protect victims of domestic abuse

The Government has announced that Greater Manchester is to be among the first areas to get new powers to tackle domestic violence and abuse. The welcome news comes as the Manchester Evening News campaigns to protect victims of domestic abuse.

The M.E.N urged a change the domestic violence laws following the brutal murder of Caroline Gore, a much-loved mum at her home in Wigan on October 29, 2023. The 44-year-old was killed by her abusive ex-partner less than four weeks after he was spared jail despite breaching a restraining order against her twice.

David Liptrot, 55, walked free after receiving a suspended sentence in October 2023 for breaching the order which prohibited him from contacting her a second time. In August 2024, he was sentenced to 20 years behind bars for Caroline's murder.

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The M.E.N campaign calls for a minimum jail sentence for people convicted of breaking restraining orders, in addition to proper monitoring of people with restraining orders including via electronic tagging. The campaign, launched in memory of Caroline Gore, has been backed by MPs and attracted more than 50,000 signatures so far.

The Government has today (November 28) announced new protective orders where domestic abusers will be ordered to stay away from their victims and face tougher restrictions. They say the orders will grant new powers to police and courts to deliver toughest restrictions yet, as well as family courts being able to impose electronic tagging for the first time.

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The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) say the new measures will initially launch in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs and with the British Transport Police. They will also be used in Cleveland and North Wales from early 2025 ahead of a national rollout.

The Government said the new measures will provide "vital protection to victims". Adding: "For the first time all types of domestic abuse will be covered - including physical, psychological, stalking, and coercive control."

The new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders will also be handed out by all courts (family, civil, and criminal), meaning more perpetrators will be forced to live under restrictions, the MoJ said.

How will the new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders work?

The Government say the new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices can be issued by the police immediately following any incident of abuse. This they say will provide protection straight away, and give police time to apply for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order "to secure longer term protection for the victim."

In a press release, the MoJ said: "Unlike some existing protections, which can only be enforced for 28 days, the new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders will have no time restrictions, meaning victims are protected for as long as needed to stay safe. Breaching the order will be a criminal offence punishable by up to five years in prison, making sure perpetrators who flout the rules are punished."

Adding: "Friends and family of victims will also be able to apply for the new orders on behalf of the victim, as well as victims themselves and the police. This will reduce victim engagement with the criminal justice system, if necessary – process which can be daunting for some survivors."

Additional measures introduced also include imposing 'exclusion zones' and mandating attendance at a 'behaviour change programme' for perpetrators of domestic abuse. The MoJ said for the first time, the orders will allow family courts to impose tagging in the most serious cases - a power previously reserved only for the police and criminal courts.

While it's hoped these newly announced measures may go some way to improve monitoring people with restraining orders including via electronic tagging, the M.E.N has been calling for - there was no mention in the announcement of a minimum jail sentence for people convicted of breaking restraining orders.

Jess Phillips, Labour's Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, said: "More than two million people are estimated to have experienced domestic abuse in the last year – a number that is appalling, frightening and we are determined to change.

"That’s why one of our first acts to deliver against our ambitious manifesto pledge to halve violence against women and girls in a decade is to launch new, strengthened Domestic Abuse Protection Orders. By bringing together the strongest elements of existing orders into a flexible order that covers all forms of domestic abuse and has no time limit, we’ll ensure more victims receive the robust protection they deserve."

Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, said: "It takes tremendous courage for victims of domestic abuse to seek help. Our role in government is to make this as straightforward as possible.

"These new orders reduce the pressure on victims by allowing third parties to make an application on their behalf, while ensuring the powers available to the courts are more stringent than ever before. This government will continue to do all it can to end violence against women and girls."

The Domestic Abuse Commissioner said: "Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPO) were designed to bring together the most effective features of existing orders to provide flexible and long-term protection to victims of domestic abuse.

"The DAPO pilot should evidence what is needed to sufficiently resource participating agencies and sector partners alike, so that it can be fully funded for a national rollout.

"I look forward to closely following the pilot’s progress and see how DAPOs can improve the safety of domestic abuse victims and hold perpetrators to account across England and Wales."

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While the introduction of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders are an important step in the right direction, we believe more can and should be done.