Domestic Abuse Strategy

In this section

  1. About this strategy
  2. Foreword
  3. What is Domestic Abuse?
  4. National and local Context
  5. Our Expectation
  6. Our approach to domestic abuse
  7. Our Priorities
  8. Delivery and Governance
  9. Outcomes framework
  10. Conclusion
  11. Support organisations
  12. Appendix 1. Legislative Framework and national policy

Appendix 1. Legislative Framework and national policy

The strategy is underpinned by the following key legislation and policy:

Victims and Prisoners Act 2024: Establishes the duty to collaborate requiring local policing bodies, local authorities and ICB’s to collaborate in the commissioning of community support services in England for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse and serious violence.

Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023: Affects provision of safe accommodation as it allows the government to create National Supported Housing Standards, which will set out minimum standards for supported exempt accommodation.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021: Establishes a legal definition of domestic abuse, including emotional, coercive, and economic abuse.  Creates a duty for local authorities to provide support in safe accommodation.  Introduces the role of the Domestic Abuse Commissioner to monitor and improve responses.

Children Act 1989 and 2004: Recognises children as victims if they witness domestic abuse.  Places a duty on services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Housing Act 1996 (as amended): Places a duty on local authorities to assist those made homeless or at risk due to domestic abuse.  Grants priority need status to victims of domestic abuse.

Crime and Security Act 2010: Introduces Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Orders (DVPOs) for immediate safety measures. 

Serious Crime Act 2015: Creates the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or family relationships.

Human Rights Act 1998: Ensures victims' rights to life, liberty, and protection from degrading treatment are respected and upheld.

Other Relevant Legislation and Guidance

There is a range of other existing legislation concerning domestic abuse, including (but not limited to):

  • Stalking Prevention Act (2019)
  • Care Act (2014)
  • Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act (2004)
  • Police Reform Act (2002)
  • Crime and Disorder Act (1998).

The Tackling Violence against Women and Girls Strategy (2021) which sets out a number of key objectives for the government, primarily to increase support for victims and survivors, increase in reporting to the Police, increasing victim engagement to increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls overall.

The government published its Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan (2022), is made up of four pillars of prioritising prevention to reduce the amount of domestic abuse, domestic homicides and suicides linked to domestic abuse, by stopping people from becoming perpetrators and victims, supporting survivors feel that they can get back to life as normal, with support for their health, emotional, economic, and social needs, pursuing perpetrators to reduce the amount of people who are repeat offenders and make sure that those who commit this crime feel the full force of the law and a stronger system to improve the systems and processes that underpin the response to domestic abuse across society.