More prtection against violent partners (From Swindon Advertiser)

More prtection against violent partners

9:30pm Sunday 5th February 2012 in News By Katie Bond

THE 100th Domestic Violence Protection Order has been granted to Wiltshire Police by Swindon magistrates.

The force is taking part in a year-long Home Office pilot under which new civil powers can be used to stop a perpetrator molesting the victim or going near the victim’s home for between 14 and 28 days.

During Friday’s hearing, the court approved a DVPO for the maximum 28 days.

The male perpetrator, who is not being named to protect the anonymity of his victim and her children, must not molest his partner or enter her home. In addition, he must not bar her from the address.

The victim went to Gablecross Police Station on Wednesday to report that she had been suffering physical and psychological abuse inflicted by her partner.

She told officers she had been hit on the head by him in December after he had verbally abused her.

The woman said she needed support to end their long-term relationship. She did not feel strong enough to cope with supporting a criminal prosecution, but was emotionally and physically tired of his verbal abuse and controlling behaviour.

The woman did, however, welcome the idea of Wiltshire Police applying to magistrates for a DVPO.

She told officers she wanted to seek advice from a solicitor about the children and civil orders to protect her. She also wanted to engage with domestic abuse support agencies. The woman recognised the DVPO would give her the necessary breathing space to get the advice she needed.

Her partner was arrested on Wednesday.

PC Chloe Smith, a member of the Domestic Abuse Investigation Team, made the application at court.

She said: “When the victim was updated she was very pleased the DVPO had been granted.

“She expressed relief that she had the next 28 days on her own with her children to engage with other agencies and a solicitor without pressure or abuse from him.

“She spoke of how much safer she felt and how she now had control of where she lived and who came in. She thanked Wiltshire Police for all the support she had been given.”

Det Insp Matt Stone, Force Operational Lead for domestic abuse, said: “This milestone shows the commitment by all parties involved in reducing domestic abuse in all its forms in our county.

“There have been few breaches of DVPOs, showing how effective the measure is in providing space to the victims of abuse to seek support and longer term solutions.”

For help and support with domestic violence, call Refuge on 01793 536447, Splitz Outreach Service on 01793 642425 or Home Truths on 01793 617589.