Statutory guidance

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

Statutory guidance supporting the understanding of the definitions of 'domestic abuse' and 'personally connected' as set out in the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Domestic Abuse: statutory guidance

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Cam-drin Domestig Canllawiau Statudol

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Domestic Abuse: statutory guidance (Easy read)

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Domestic Abuse: statutory guidance (large font)

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Details

This statutory guidance is issued under section 84 (2) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 about the effect of:

  • section 1 (the definition of ‘domestic abuse’)
  • section 2 (the definition of ‘personally connected’)
  • section 3 (recognising children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right)

It is a framework document designed to support organisations to identify and respond to domestic abuse and promote best practice.

The guidance has been informed by the results of a public consultation carried out in August and September 2021.

The statutory guidance applies to England. It applies in Wales only to matters that are reserved to the UK government – policing and criminal, civil and family justice.

It is aimed at statutory and non-statutory bodies working with victims, including children or perpetrators of domestic abuse, and at those dealing with other consequences of domestic abuse.

British Sign Language users

You can view or download the statutory guidance in British Sign Language.

Email any enquiries about this publication to [email protected].

Updates to this page

Published 8 July 2022
Last updated 13 April 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added Domestic Abuse: statutory guidance (British Sign Language videos).

  2. Added a link to Domestic Abuse Act 2021 statutory guidance: British Sign Language version.

  3. Added an easy read, large font and Welsh version of the statutory guidance.

  4. HTML version of statutory guidance added.

  5. First published.

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