'Violence against women is everywhere... it's a national emergency'

A WELSH MP has praised a new “life-saving” clampdown on domestic abuse that is being rolled out in one part of Wales, amid an ongoing epidemic of violence against women.

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From April 28, greater protections became available in North Wales to protect victims and survivors from their abusers.

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) will become available to people in the area, which aim to build on existing police powers associated with Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs).

DAPOs allow victims - as well as their friends, families or support workers - to apply for these orders in the family court at Caernarfon, Prestatyn or Wrexham.

Police can also apply on their behalf in the magistrates’ court for protection, so that victims do not need to attend in person.

DAPOs can force perpetrators to stick to strict exclusion zones wearing GPS tags, as well as forcing them to complete rehabilitation or behavioural courses.

Unlike current schemes, these orders cover all types of domestic abuse - including physical, controlling, or coercive behaviour, economic abuse and stalking - and can be issued by all courts.

There will also be no maximum duration for these orders, compared to the 28-days current protection orders offer.

In the year to March 2024, North Wales Police granted 462 Domestic Violence Protection Notices and made more than 350 applications under Clare’s Law to help protect victims of domestic abuse.

April 28 marked the second expansion after DAPO pilots were previously launched in Greater Manchester, three London boroughs (Croydon, Bromley and Sutton) and with the British Transport Police in November 2024.

The orders were then rolled out across Cleveland in March, prior to North Wales.

Between November 27 and March 31, more than 100 DAPOs have been secured in Greater Manchester alone, with the police dealing with 45 breaches and jail time handed down to some of those who breached the order.

Our sister paper, The South Wales Echo spoke to Alex Davies-Jones, Member of Parliament for Pontypridd and Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls.