Cleveland is one of the first places in England and Wales, where victims can apply for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO.)
Either the victim – or some-one acting on their behalf– can apply for a DAPO.
What it does
A DAPO can:
- Order some-one to wear an electronic tag to check that they’re keeping to the conditions of the order;
- Stop someone coming to – or near – your home;
- Decide who can stay – or return – to your house;
- Order some-one to attend a behaviour change programme.
How to Apply
You need to complete a standard form and submit it with a supporting witness statement.
There is an additional form to complete if you want the court to keep your information private
There are no court fees when you apply for a DAPO.
What happens next?
If Teesside Family Court accepts your application, a copy must be given to the person, from whom you need protection. If the court grants an order, the order must be served on that person.
Once the application or order has been served, you have to complete another form. This tells the court, who has been served with a DAPO and outlines what the DAPO tells them to do.
You can apply to vary or remove an existing DAPO. However, you can only do this by filling out the appropriate form and applying to the family court once again.