Greater Manchester is implementing new measures to protect domestic abuse victims following a tragic incident last year
Greater Manchester: New powers are being put to work by the police to help victims of domestic abuse. They’ve rolled out Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs) to keep victims safe.
These orders started in Bury last November and have now reached Wigan. Just a week in, five orders were issued, stopping abusers from contacting their victims.
And guess what? If someone breaks these orders, they’re facing real consequences. A guy from Bury got eight months in jail for showing up at a woman’s home after breaching a DAPO.
So far, seven DAPOs have been issued in Greater Manchester, with more applications coming through the courts. The police are serious about this.
Some of the cases include a man who harassed his ex while drunk, and another who showed up demanding money and damaging property. There’s even a case where a woman was assaulted with a bottle, and the judge granted a DAPO to keep her safe.
Detective Superintendent Toby Facey from GMP said it’s crucial to protect these victims, even if they don’t want to press charges. They’re keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure the orders are followed.
He warned abusers not to take these orders lightly. People are already facing jail time for breaking them, and the police are committed to improving their response to domestic abuse.
This all comes after the tragic murder of Caroline Gore, who was killed by her partner after he repeatedly ignored a restraining order. The Manchester Evening News is pushing for better protections for victims.
David Liptrot, who killed Caroline, is now serving 20 years. He had a suspended sentence for breaching a restraining order just weeks before the murder. It’s a heartbreaking situation that has sparked a call for change.
The M.E.N. is advocating for mandatory minimum sentences for those who breach protective orders. Their petition has gained over 75,000 signatures, showing strong public support for better victim protection.
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips mentioned that this campaign could lead to real change. The new DAPOs are part of a two-year pilot aimed at improving safety for victims across Greater Manchester.
These orders can last for any length of time and may include requirements like electronic monitoring for the abuser. The pilot is expanding to Wigan and will eventually cover more areas.
Minister Phillips emphasized the importance of these new orders in providing safety for victims and managing abusers. The goal is to put victims first and significantly reduce violence against women and girls over the next decade.
