We welcomed the Safeguarding Minister to Greater Manchester yesterday to meet specialists in our domestic abuse team who have led the way in protecting victims from harm thanks to the introduction of a Home Office pilot.

Our officers discussed with Jess Phillips MP how we’re protecting victims of domestic abuse better than before thanks to the use of Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), with almost 60 orders already granted by courts in GM since its launch three months ago.

This includes coercive and controlling abuser Christopher David Cullen (16/01/1989), from Bury, who only yesterday (25 February), was jailed for more than two years for his crimes, given a four-year DAPO, and must additionally submit to electronic monitoring for a period of 12 months beginning at the time of his release from custody.

DAPOs are being used to protect victims from all types of domestic abuse offences, whether that be physical, sexual, or coercive and controlling behaviour. They are already having an impact in our pilot areas of Manchester, Bury, and Wigan.

They can be granted for any length of time, may require ‘positive requirements’ for perpetrators such as electronic monitoring or attendance at a behaviour change programme, and any breach is an arrestable criminal offence.

One key benefit for victims is that DAPO applications do not require a victim to attend or provide evidence at court. Police work with local partners to compile all necessary information for the courts to authorise the sought-after orders.

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