MSPs seek views on new Domestic Abuse Bill

A call for views on Scottish Government proposals to introduce domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs) and domestic abuse protection notices (DAPNs) into Scots law has been launched today by the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee.

MSPs on the committee have begun their stage 1 inquiry into the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill, which would give courts and police extra powers to impose requirements and prohibitions on suspected perpetrators of domestic abuse, such as removing them from a shared home, or stopping them contacting the person deemed to be at risk.

The bill is intended to remove the current need for some victims of domestic abuse to effectively make themselves homeless to get away from their situation, and reduce the opportunities for abuse to take place. It would also allow social landlords to end perpetrators’ tenancies in shared homes, without removing victims. (Click here for news item.)

Similar orders, then termed "emergency barring orders" (EBOs), were discussed during the committee’s previous scrutiny of the bill that became the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018. At that time, the committee asked the Government to look into EBOs in more detail, as while members saw some merit in them, the practicalities were not clear.

Speaking as today's call for views was launched, committee convener Adam Tomkins MSP said: "The committee has previously expressed an interest in having short-term legal mechanisms in place to better support victims of domestic abuse, such as the proposed orders and notices.

"While clearly these may help a number of individuals in difficult situations, this legislation proposes new legal remedies. The committee will want to know how these will work in practice, and how the Government proposes ensuring their appropriate use.

"The committee hopes to gather a wide range of views in order to help us scrutinise these proposals and ensure legislation that works for those in need of the protection it may offer."

Click here to access the bill and the call for views. The deadline for responses is Friday 4 December.