Reporting domestic abuse – what happens next?
If you feel ready and wish to report the abuse as a crime, the police will attend and investigate. We will risk assess the crime to ensure it is dealt with by the appropriate team.
We may issue a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) and a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO). Both processes are designed to give breathing space to victims by granting a temporary break from their abuser, allowing victims to get support.
What is a Domestic Violence Protection Notice?
A Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) is a notice served by the police against a person who is aged over 18, where the police reasonably believe that a person has been violent or has threatened violence against you and that you need to be protected.
The DVPN can:
- stop them from coming near or into your home
- stop them from making you leave or excluding you from your home
- make them leave your home
A DVPN is usually the initial step taken by the police in appropriate cases and lasts until a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) is applied for at court, and this has to be done within 48 hours of the DVPN being served on the person.
A DVNP can be issued with or without your permission. However you will not have to go to court or give evidence if you do not want to.
Perpetrators can be arrested if they break the conditions of the DVPN. If the perpetrator breaks their conditions of the notice, contact us:
- In an emergency call 999
- For non-emergencies call 101
- Visit a police station
What is a Domestic Violence Protection Order?
A DVPN will be followed up by a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) which the police apply for within 48 hours of the DVPN being served.
DVPOs are issued by a Magistrates’ Court and served on the person by a police officer. The order will be in place for between 14 and 28 days and the aim is to allow some distance between the parties to allow for clear thinking and assessment of the situation.
A DVPO can be issued with or without your permission. However you will not have to go to court or give evidence if you do not want to.
Perpetrators can be arrested if they break the conditions of the DVPO. If the perpetrator breaks their conditions of the order, contact us:
- In an emergency call 999
- For non-emergencies call 101
- Visit a police station
Report domestic abuse
If you are a victim or know someone who is, you can report domestic abuse to us.
Support for victims
You are not to blame for what is happening and you are not alone. There are local and national organisations who can help you. View details of organisations who can support you.
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