It's the best thing that's happened - it's offered me way out'

GMP say new powers to protect domestic abuse victims are having a real impact

-  JOSEPH TIMAN

"IT'S allowed me to come to terms with who he really is, and offered me a way out." Words of relief from a woman finally free from abuse now her ex-partner has been locked up. Police first became aware of the abuse after a friend of the woman, who is in her 40s, reported her partner had attacked her - but both he and she denied it.

Numerous incidents and attempted prosecutions followed. In her own words, it has been 'one hell of a nightmare of a relationship Her ex-partner has now received a prison sentence after being given a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO). The new order is being trialled in Greater Manchester as part of a national initiative to better protect victims.

The two-year pilot, which began in Bury, started last November, weeks after the Manchester Evening News launched a campaign in memory of Caroline Gore, 44, was stabbed to death by her abusive ex-partner in Wigan less than four weeks after he was spared jail for yet another breach of his restraining order.

The M.E.N. is calling for a mandatory minimum prison sentence for perpetrators who breach protective orders like the one David Liptrot was allowed to get away with. Our petition, which has been signed by more than 75,000 people and has been raised in Parliament, also calls for proper monitoring of people with protective orders including through electronic tagging.

The DAPOS could be part of the solution. Unlike other protective orders, they allow courts to impose positive requirements too. This means abusers can be monitored by an electronic tag or told to take part in behavioural change programmes.