Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill

# Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill The Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill addresses significant gaps in Scotland's legal framework for protecting people experiencing domestic abuse. At the time of introduction, Scottish law lacked a civil protective order that could be obtained quickly and without requiring the involvement of the criminal justice system—a particular concern for survivors who might not be ready to pursue criminal charges but still needed urgent legal protection from their abuser. The bill responds to recommendations from domestic abuse support services and legal experts who identified this protection gap as a barrier to safety for many vulnerable people. The bill introduces two new civil orders to fill this gap: the Domestic Abuse Protection Notice (DAPN), which can be issued by police as an emergency measure lasting up to 28 days, and the Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO), which is a longer-term civil order issued by courts following an application. These orders can impose various restrictions on an accused person's conduct, including prohibiting contact with the victim and requiring them to vacate a shared home. The legislation establishes criteria for issuing orders, sets out what behaviour can be restricted, and creates enforcement mechanisms including criminal penalties for breach. The bill was designed to provide a more accessible and flexible alternative to existing criminal remedies, enabling faster intervention while respecting a survivor's autonomy regarding criminal prosecution.

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