Vital domestic violence protection stalled by Justice Department
‘Inexcusable that five years after the legislation on domestic abuse passed it is still being talked about rather than being available’ - Emmet Doyle
Stormont’s Department of Justice has refused a Freedom of Information request relating to Domestic Abuse Protection Orders.
Specifically the Department has declined to release any documents regarding what it has done to bring these powers into action. It has cited “policy development” as the reason for its refusal.
Domestic Abuse Protection Orders were introduced under the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021 passed by the Assembly.
They are described as flexible, civil orders designed to protect victims from abuse, covering both non-molestation and occupational requirements, with breaches being a criminal offence. Primarily the PSNI is supposed to be the primary agency responsible for enforcing Domestic Abuse Protection Orders and notices in the North. In the Republic of Ireland it is An Garda Síochána.
The Derry News understands not one Domestic Abuse Protection Order has been issued in the North in the five years they have been on the statute book.
This situation came to light following in response to a recent FOI submitted to the Department of Justice by Derry Aontú representative Emmet Doyle.
“I put in the FOI on Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to gain an idea of what work had been done to bring these powers into action,” he said, “and the Department of Justice refused to release any documents, citing ‘policy development.
“If that does not embarrass the Justice Department when we have all witnessed the depth of feeling around violence towards women and femicide, I don’t know what will.”
Mr Doyle was speaking following the recent murders of Amy Doherty (28) on March 21, 2026 in Derry and Ellie Flanagan (23) on March 7, 2026 in Enniskillen. They are two of the 30 women in the North murdered since 2020 in incidents of femicide.
“It is an inexcusable situation that five years after the legislation on domestic abuse was passed by the Assembly, this crucial tool to protect victims is still being talked about rather than being available to the police and courts,” added Mr Doyle.
In response to an enquiry from The Derry News, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice said the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (NI) 2021 provided the “legislative basis for strengthening protections for victims of domestic abuse”.
“Section 27 of the 2021 Act provides an enabling power for the Department to introduce new civil protective measures, such as Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, through secondary legislation,” they added.
“This means the legal framework exists, but further regulations are required to set out how the orders will operate in practice.
“The Department of Justice has been required to take forward additional scoping and preparatory work to develop an effective model tailored to Northern Ireland, whilst also learning lessons from police forces in Great Britain, which have been piloting DAPNs and DAPOs.
“The Department is continuing to develop the detailed policy and operational model in partnership with the PSNI and other justice partners and to develop the necessary regulations to enable the introduction of these measures within this jurisdiction.
“Early learning from the various GB pilots has led us to conclude that we will need to test and pilot any NI model and so our current intention is to introduce DAPN/Os through a police-led pilot in a defined area (yet to be agreed), which will allow for testing and evaluation before any wider roll-out. This approach is intended to reduce the burden on victims by enabling police to take protective action directly,” said the Department of Justice spokesperson.
“These measures will provide a range of protections, which in some cases may be similar to those available under Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders, but crucially they will not require the victim to make an application, and will also provide powers to direct interventions, in suitable cases, that are aimed at addressing abusive behaviours. As is the case with existing civil protections orders, it is intended that a breach of a DAPO will be a criminal offence,” they added.
“In suitable cases, that are aimed at addressing abusive behaviours. As is the case with existing civil protections orders, it is intended that a breach of a DAPO will be a criminal offence.
“The Department is working towards commencement of a two-year pilot in the latter half of the 2026–27 financial year. While this means there has been a delay in implementation, this reflects the need to ensure the model is effective, deliverable and provides meaningful protection for victims,” said the spokesperson.
Emmet Doyle described the Department’s response as “shocking”.
“For the Minister of Justice to say her Department is still working on a pilot after all this time has passed is shocking. How many victims could have availed of Protection Orders in the last five years?” he said.
“We have to ask if the Executive is really taking the epidemic of violence against women and girls seriously when this is where we are. It should be remembered this is local legislation so the Minister cannot blame London. It is within her remit to have progressed this and yet it sits on a shelf.
“I will continue to demand answers alongside my colleagues to see the widest possible raft of powers available to protect those experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic abuse in our community.”
Speaking to The Derry News, Marie Brown, CEO of Foyle Women’s Aid and Family Justice Centre, said she did not know how to respond to the Justice Department’s comment.
“It is all very vague, with no timeline, no agreed place to pilot. The Department had from 2021 to “scope”, she said.
“Where are the resources coming from? How long will the Department pilot for? When will the Department roll it out? My sense is it will be very delayed. We are already half way through the year. There are more questions to be asked of the Department. This situation is not really good enough,” said Ms Brown.
The Derry News also contacted PSNI for comment. At the time of publication, none had been received.