The Law
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Know your rights
If you’re facing abuse, harassment, or threats, UK law gives you protection. Here are the main legal tools and how they work — with links to official guidance for full details.
Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme)
You can ask the police if a partner has a history of violence or abuse.
Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN)
Issued by police immediately after an incident to protect you until court. Can ban the abuser from contacting you or coming to your home.
Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO)
Court order that can set longer-term restrictions, such as banning contact, removing the abuser from your home, or requiring them to attend behaviour programmes.
Strangulation & Suffocation Law
Now a standalone criminal offence — even without visible injury — carrying up to 5 years in prison.
Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Recognises controlling/coercive behaviour, economic abuse, and post-separation abuse. Gives more victims access to legal protections and housing rights.
Harassment & Stalking Laws
Illegal to repeatedly harass, follow, threaten, or monitor someone. Police can arrest and courts can impose restraining orders.
Non-Molestation Orders
Court order to stop someone threatening, harming, or harassing you. Breaching the order is a criminal offence.
Sentencing for Domestic Abuse & Homicide
Domestic abuse sentences can be harsher when committed in the home or in front of children. If abuse leads to homicide, courts treat it as an aggravating factor, often resulting in longer sentences.
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