Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs)

A Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO) is a short-term civil order granted by the Magistrates’ Court to protect victims of domestic violence. These orders are applied for by the Police and are designed to provide immediate safety. Breaching a DVPO is treated as contempt of court.



DVPOs differ from Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) introduced under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which are still being piloted in limited areas.


When urgent protection is needed, the Police may first issue a Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN) before applying to the Magistrates’ Court for a full DVPO. To apply, there must be evidence of violence or threats of violence. Importantly, the Police do not require the victim’s consent to make the application. This allows them to take swift action if they believe intervention is necessary to safeguard the victim and create a safe period for them to access further support.

A DVPO can last for up to 28 days and typically prohibits the perpetrator from:


  • Using or threatening violence against the victim.
  • Contacting or attempting to contact the victim.
  • Harassing the victim by attending specific locations such as their home, workplace, or school.



Breach of a DVPO

DVPOs carry Powers of Arrest. If the order is breached, the Police are required to arrest the perpetrator for contempt of court. They must then be brought before the Magistrates’ Court within 24 hours.

Sanctions for breach may include a fine or imprisonment of up to two months. Although breaches are taken seriously, they are dealt with in the civil courts, meaning the individual will not receive a criminal conviction.


Stalking Protection Orders

A Stalking Protection Order (SPO) is a civil order that the Police can apply for in the Magistrates’ Court to restrict stalking behaviours. Breaching the terms of an SPO is a criminal offence and may lead to arrest, prosecution, and even imprisonment.


These orders are designed to provide swift protection to individuals at risk of stalking. An SPO acts as an injunction, setting out specific conditions that the perpetrator must not breach. For example, it may prohibit unwanted contact, surveillance, or approaching the victim. If the order is ignored, this constitutes a breach, which is treated as a serious criminal matter.

The Police may apply for either an interim order (to provide urgent short-term protection) or a full order. Importantly, SPOs can be sought even where the available evidence does not yet meet the higher threshold required for criminal proceedings.


Stalking Protection Orders may also be issued alongside ongoing criminal investigations or after someone has been charged with a stalking-related offence. However, they are not intended as a substitute for a full and thorough criminal investigation.