Victims of domestic abuse can apply for protective orders in civil courts. We have provided an explanation of some of these orders below.
In cases of domestic abuse or stalking, the Police can apply for civil orders (using the civil burden of proof ‘on the balance of probabilities’) to help protect victims if they believe that they cannot yet meet the high evidential standard for criminal proceedings. They may also apply for protective orders if they have charged someone for a crime related to domestic abuse or stalking and are waiting for the CPS to decide about criminal proceedings. These orders can include Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs).
Find out more information about orders that can help to protect you and your children and what happens when they are breached.
Orders to protect you and your children
- Non-Molestation Orders
A civil court order preventing someone from contacting you or coming near you. A breach is a criminal offence. - Prohibitive Steps OrderAn order to prevent a parent from taking children away.
- Occupation Order
An order to prevent someone living in your property or accessing the property and surrounding area. - Domestic Violence Protection Order
An order applied for by the Police to stop a perpetrator of domestic abuse from contacting you or coming near you. - Stalking Protection Order
An order that the Police can apply for to stop a stalker from continuing with their behaviours. A breach is a criminal offence. - Domestic Abuse Protection Order
Written into the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, this new order will be piloted in just three police force areas and is not yet in use widely. - Emergency Protection Order
An order to protect a child from immediate harm.