Hourglass supports the introduction of DAPN/O, which will ensure protections in Northern Ireland for Victims of Domestic Abuse are in line with protection orders across England and Wales as well as Scotland.

Hourglass agrees with the key justifications set out in the consultation. In particular: the capacity for DAPN/Os to be implemented for cases of non- physical abuse or risk of abuse; the provision of both short term ‘breathing space’ and longer-term protection for victims; the possibility of legislating for a third-party route that could also provide for MARACs, a crucial additional tool for protecting high risk victims.