Your Rights, Choices & Support.

There are several laws and protections in Northern Ireland designed to support people experiencing domestic abuse and to help keep them safe.

Relevant legislation includes:

• Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 
• Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
• Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

These laws cover a range of behaviours including controlling or coercive behaviour, threats, harassment, and physical or emotional abuse within intimate or family relationships.

The primary legislation governing domestic abuse in Northern Ireland is the Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021. This Act, which came into full effect on 21 February 2022, significantly updated the law by criminalising non-physical forms of abuse.

It sits alongside the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (NI) Order 1998, which continues to provide civil protections for those at risk.

The legal framework has been further strengthened by subsequent developments, including the Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (NI) 2022 and wider criminal law reforms (such as stalking and non-fatal strangulation offences), as well as the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2024–2031, which shapes policy and practice.

The Domestic Abuse Offence

The Domestic Abuse and Civil Proceedings Act (Northern Ireland) 2021 created a new, specific “domestic abuse offence”.

Course of Conduct: It criminalises a "course of behaviour" (occurring on at least two occasions) rather than just isolated incidents.

Abusive Behaviour: This includes physical and sexual violence, but also extends to coercive control, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse.

Personal Connection: The law applies to partners, ex-partners, and family members. Northern Ireland's definition is considered more expansive than other UK jurisdictions as it includes a wider range of family relationships.

Harm Not Required: A conviction can be secured if a "reasonable person" would consider the behaviour likely to cause harm, even if the victim does not show evidence of actual physical or psychological injury

Key Protections and Legal Measures

The legislation introduced several measures to support victims during legal proceedings:

• Prohibition of Cross-Examination: Accused individuals are prohibited from cross-examining their victims in person in both criminal and family court proceedings.
• Special Measures: Victims are automatically eligible for "special measures" in court, such as giving evidence via live link, using screens, or having the public excluded from the courtroom.
• Sentencing Aggravations: Judges can impose tougher sentences if the abuse involved a child (under 18) or if any other criminal offence (like criminal damage or assault) was motivated by domestic abuse.

Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme (DVADS)

The DVADS gives members of the public a 'Right to Ask' - a formal way to request information from the police if they are concerned that a current or former partner, or the partner of someone they know, may have a history of abusive behaviour.

If a disclosure is considered necessary, lawful and proportionate, this information will usually be shared with the person at risk.

The scheme also allows the PSNI to proactively share information where they believe someone may be at risk of domestic abuse, to help them make informed decisions about their safety.

You can apply yourself if you have concerns about your own relationship, or someone else can apply if they are worried about you.

You must be aged 16 or over to apply, and the person believed to be at risk must live in Northern Ireland.

How to access the scheme:


You can apply online via the PSNI website. The police will carry out checks, may contact you for more information, and will decide whether sharing information is necessary to help protect someone at risk.

If you are considering using the scheme, you can also contact the helpline to talk through your options and what might feel right for you.

(Source: PSNI: Domestic Violence and Abuse Disclosure Scheme (DVADS))

Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs)

A Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) can be made by a court to protect someone from all forms of domestic abuse, including non-physical abuse and controlling or coercive behaviour.

DAPOs can be issued during criminal, family, or civil proceedings. Applications can be made by the police, the person affected, or a third party such as a family member, friend, or social worker.

DAPOs place restrictions and conditions on the person causing harm. These may include:

• Prohibitions – preventing someone from doing certain things, such as contacting you or coming near your home or workplace
• Notification requirements – the person must provide their name and address to police within 3 days of the order being made, and report any changes within 3 days
• Electronic monitoring – the court may use tagging to monitor whether conditions are being followed
• Positive requirements – such as attending a behaviour change programme

DAPOs are designed to provide flexible, longer-term protection to help keep people safe.

(Source: Gov.uk: Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (DAPNs) and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (DAPOs), 2025.)

Additional Protections

Non-Molestation Orders

A non-molestation order is a court order available in Northern Ireland under the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998. It is designed to help protect someone from abuse, threats, harassment, or intimidation. 

It can set clear conditions to help keep someone safe, such as preventing a person from contacting them or coming near their home, workplace, or other important places. In some cases, the order can also include children.

The court can make the order general or set out specific behaviours that are not allowed. It may also include an “exclusion zone”, meaning the person must stay away from certain areas.

Breaching a non-molestation order is a criminal offence.

Occupation Orders

An occupation order is a court order, also made under the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, which decides who can live in a home or return to it. 

It can help someone remain safely in their home or prevent another person from living there. The court will consider a range of factors when making a decision, including safety, housing needs, and whether alternative accommodation is available.

An occupation order can be made on its own or alongside a non-molestation order. When used together, they can provide additional protection and stability.

If a power of arrest is attached, breaching an occupation order may be a criminal offence. In other cases, breaches are dealt with by the court.

Who can apply?

In Northern Ireland, you can apply for a non-molestation or occupation order if the person causing harm is considered an “associated person” under the law.

This includes someone you have, or have had, a close personal or family relationship with.

You may be able to apply if the other person is:

• Someone you are or have been married to
• A civil partner or former civil partner
• Someone you live with, or have lived with, as a partner
• Someone you live with, or have lived with, in the same household (for reasons other than work or as a tenant or lodger)
• A relative
• Someone you have agreed to marry or enter a civil partnership with
• The parent of your child, or someone who has parental responsibility for a child
• Someone involved in the same family court proceedings

If the person does not fall into one of these categories, there may still be other legal options available, such as applying for a civil injunction. You can seek advice to explore what might be right for your situation.

There are several laws and protections in Northern Ireland designed to support people who have experienced sexual abuse or violence.

Relevant legislation includes:

• Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008
• Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 
• Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

These laws cover a range of offences including sexual assault, rape, exploitation, stalking and coercive behaviour.

Important to know:

Sexual offences are not time limited. This means you can report abuse at any time, even if it happened many years ago.

The Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 introduced a number of new or strengthened protections.

Key protections introduced:

1. Upskirting and downblousing (new offences)

• These behaviours were explicitly criminalised under the Act.
• They fall under voyeurism-type offences (taking images under clothing or down someone’s top without consent). 
• They were not previously clearly covered in Northern Ireland law.

2. Cyber-flashing / sending unwanted sexual images

The Act created a new offence of sending unsolicited sexual images (often referred to as cyber-flashing).

3. Image-based abuse (strengthened protections)

The Act expanded existing offences to include:

• Threatening to share intimate images (not just sharing them)

4. Non-fatal strangulation (standalone offence)

The Act introduced a specific criminal offence of non-fatal strangulation/asphyxiation: 

• No need to prove visible injury 
• Maximum sentence up to 14 years

Additional Protections

Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)

The purpose of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order is to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting your behaviour. For example, if you have been convicted of an offence of downloading indecent images of children, your access to the internet, or to devices that connect to the internet, may be restricted.

A SHPO can be given to anyone convicted of:

• A sexual offence listed in Schedule 23 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003
• Certain non-sexual offences listed in Schedule 5 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003

SHPOs may also be given to people in the community who have not necessarily been convicted of a sexual offence, but whose behaviour is deemed by the police to be particularly risky. In these cases, the police or the National Crime Agency can apply to the court to make a SHPO.

(Source: Nacro: What is a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO)?.)

Sex Offenders Register

The sex offender register contains information about the people cautioned, convicted, or released from prison for a sexual offence against children or adults since 1997. This includes online and offline offences.

The length of time someone is on the register is decided by the courts and based on their offences, even if there is no prison sentence.

This doesn’t apply to adults who are under investigation or have been arrested but not convicted, or to most under-18s.

(Source: Lucy Faithful Foundation: Understanding the sex offender register)

Child Protection Disclosure Scheme

In Northern Ireland, The Child Protection Disclosure Scheme provides a process for anyone (applicant) who has concerns about an individual who may pose a risk to children (subject) to request that information relating to relevant sexual/violent offences be disclosed to the person responsible for the child (responsible person).

The person you feel may be at risk must live in Northern Ireland. You can complete an application via the Police Force of Northern Ireland website.

(Source: Lucy Faithful Foundation: Understanding the sex offender register)

Emergency (Ex Parte) Orders

In Northern Ireland, both non-molestation and occupation orders can be made on an emergency basis, sometimes called an "ex parte" order.

This means you can apply to the court for urgent protection without the other person being told in advance. This may be appropriate if you feel at immediate risk of harm.

Emergency orders are usually short-term and are designed to provide protection until the court can hold a full hearing where both people have the opportunity to be heard.

If an emergency order is granted, it will be formally given to (served on) the other person, usually by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The order takes effect once it has been served.

The court will then arrange a further hearing to decide whether a longer-term order should be put in place.

Inter Partes Orders

An inter partes order is made when both people have had the opportunity to attend court or be represented.

At this stage, the court will consider all the information and decide whether to make a longer-term non-molestation order, occupation order, or both.

These orders can last for a period set by the court (often up to around 18 months, but this can vary).

They can also be changed if circumstances change, and further applications can be made if protection is still needed.

The order takes effect once it is made by the court, and copies are shared with the police.

Harassment

Harassment is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that can make someone feel distressed, frightened, or unsafe.

It can take many forms and may happen in person, online, or through other means.

Harassment can include:

• Unwanted contact, such as calls, messages, emails, or online communication
• Turning up at someone’s home, workplace, or other places they spend time
• Following, watching, or monitoring someone
• Sending unwanted items or messages
• Damaging property
• Threats of harm, including threats to others close to them
• Contacting or targeting friends, family, or colleagues
• In some cases, physical or sexual harm

Everyone’s experience is different, and not all behaviours may be obvious at first. If something feels distressing or makes you feel unsafe, it is important to take that feeling seriously.

Support is available, and you do not have to deal with this on your own. 

Stalking

Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that can make someone feel distressed, frightened, or unsafe. It often involves ongoing contact or monitoring that feels intrusive or controlling.

While the term “stalking” is commonly used, in Northern Ireland it is usually dealt with under harassment laws.

Stalking behaviours can include:

• Repeated calls, messages, emails, or online contact
• Sending unwanted items or leaving messages or gifts
• Following, watching, or monitoring someone
• Turning up at someone’s home, workplace, or other places they spend time
• Approaching or confronting someone in person

Some behaviours may seem harmless on their own, but when they happen repeatedly or as part of a pattern, they can have a serious impact.

Stalking may also involve:

• Making threats or causing fear
• Damaging property
• Contacting people close to you
• Misusing services (for example, ordering items in your name or making complaints about you)

If this is happening to you, your feelings are valid. Support is available, and you do not have to manage this on your own.

Legal protection for Harassment and Stalking in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, the law protects people from stalking, and from threatening or abusive behaviour, and for related purposes under the Protection from Stalking Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

Under this law:

• Stalking is a criminal offence

  A person can be charged if their behaviour forms a pattern that causes alarm, distress or fear.
• The law recognises patterns of behaviour

  The law requires behaviour to happen on at least two occasions, which is why it’s described as a “pattern”.
• Both physical and digital behaviours acknowledged

Types of behaviour include contacting or attempting to contact, monitoring use of internet/email, following or watching, interfering with property, loitering.

• Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs)

  The act introduced civil orders which police can apply for to protect you, even before a criminal conviction.
  These can place restrictions on the person responsible, such as limiting contact or movement.
• Stronger penalties for serious harm

  If stalking causes serious distress or fear of violence, this can lead to more severe charges and sentencing.

Restraining Orders

A restraining order is a court order that can help protect someone from harassment or behaviour that causes fear of violence. It can set clear conditions, such as preventing contact or stopping someone from coming near certain places.

In Northern Ireland, restraining orders are usually made following criminal proceedings. The court can make a restraining order whether someone is found guilty or, in some cases, even if they are not convicted, if the court believes protection is still needed.

The order can be put in place by the court, often with input from the prosecution or police.

Restraining orders can be an important way to provide ongoing protection. Some people may also choose to explore other options, such as applying for a non-molestation order, depending on what feels right for their situation.

If you are unsure about your options, you can contact the helpline to talk things through in a safe and confidential space.

Civil Injunctions

A civil injunction is a type of court order that can help protect someone from harm. It can require a person to do something or prevent them from doing certain things such as contacting you or coming near you.

In Northern Ireland, a civil injunction may be an option if the person causing harm is not someone you have a close personal or family relationship with (sometimes described in law as not being an “associated person”).

You do not have to manage this alone. If you are unsure about your options, you can contact the helpline to talk through what support may feel right for you. 

Undertakings

An undertaking is a formal promise made to the court by one person to do, or not do, certain things for example, not contacting or approaching someone.

In some cases, when someone applies for a non-molestation order, the other person may offer an undertaking instead. This means they agree to certain conditions without admitting any past behaviour.

Undertakings are recognised by the court, but they are not criminal orders. This means that if an undertaking is broken, the police cannot arrest for a breach. Instead, the matter is dealt with by the court.

Because of this, an undertaking may not always offer the same level of protection as a non-molestation order. It is important to consider what feels safest and most appropriate for your situation.

You can speak to the helpline to talk through your options and what might feel right for you. 

Police Information Notice (PIN)

A Police Information Notice (PIN) is a notice that may be given by the police to let someone know that their behaviour has been reported as unwanted or concerning.

A PIN is not a criminal record, conviction, or court order. It is intended to make the person aware that their behaviour may be causing distress or concern, and that further similar behaviour could lead to police action.

Receiving a PIN does not mean that someone has committed an offence. However, it may be taken into account if further incidents are reported.

If you have experienced harassment, the police can talk you through whether issuing a notice or taking other action is appropriate. You may also wish to seek independent advice about other options, such as applying for a civil injunction.

You can contact the helpline to talk through your situation and explore what support feels right for you.

The Right to Ask

The Right to Ask is part of the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme (sometimes known as Clare’s Law) in Northern Ireland. It allows you to contact the police if you are worried that a current or former partner or the partner of someone you know may have a history of abusive behaviour.

You can make an application yourself, or a friend or family member can raise a concern on behalf of someone they are worried about.

If the police receive a request, they will carry out checks. If they believe that someone may be at risk, and that sharing information is necessary and appropriate, they may disclose relevant information to the person at risk, or in some cases to someone who can help keep them safe.

You may not always receive detailed information, but the police will consider what is needed to support safety and wellbeing.

The aim of the scheme is to help people make informed choices about their relationships and to access support if they need it.

If you are thinking about making an application, you can contact the helpline to talk through your options and what might feel right for you.

Special Measures in Court

If a case goes to court, there are measures available to help victims feel safer and more supported when giving evidence.

These are known as special measures and may include:

• Giving evidence behind a screen
• Giving evidence by video link
• Pre-recorded evidence
• Support from an intermediary

The aim is to reduce distress and help people give their best evidence.

The law continues to evolve to respond to new and emerging forms of abuse, particularly those happening online or through technology.

Online Safety and Digital Abuse

The Online Safety Act 2023 introduces stronger responsibilities for online platforms to:

• Remove harmful and abusive content
• Protect users from exploitation and abuse
• Prevent the spread of illegal content

This includes content relating to:

• Sexual exploitation
• Image-based abuse
• Online harassment and coercion

Image-Based Abuse

Under the Online Safety Act 2023, sharing or threatening to share intimate images without consent is a criminal offence in the UK. The Online Safety Act 2023 also places duties on online platforms to remove harmful content and better protect users from abuse.

In Northern Ireland, this is covered under the Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act (NI) 2022, and new laws are being developed across the UK to strengthen protections - including offences relating to:

• Sharing intimate images without consent 
• Threatening to share intimate images
• Taking intimate images without consent

This also includes offences such as:

• Upskirting: taking a photo or video under someone’s clothing without permission
• Downblousing: taking a photo or video down someone’s top without permission

These behaviours are often referred to as “image-based abuse” or “revenge porn”.

Deepfake and Digitally Altered Images

Technology is increasingly being used to create fake sexual images or videos (known as ‘deepfakes’), where a person’s image is placed onto explicit content without their consent.

In the UK, the law is strengthening to address this. It is now a criminal offence to create or request non-consensual intimate images, including sexually explicit deepfakes.

The UK Government is also working with technology companies and experts to tackle this issue, including developing new systems to better detect harmful deepfake content and hold platforms accountable.

Deepfakes are increasingly being used to:

• Manipulate or exploit images of women and girls
• Impersonate individuals
• Commit fraud or deception

As this technology continues to evolve, further protections are being introduced - including action against tools designed to generate explicit images without consent.

(Source: Gov.uk: Government leads global fight against deepfake threats, 2026.)

Reaching out or reporting abuse can feel like a big and sometimes uncertain step. It’s completely understandable to have questions or feel unsure about what might happen.

The Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline is a confidential service. In most situations, what you share will not be passed on to the police or anyone else without your permission.

There may be times when we need to share information to help keep someone safe. This might happen if:

1. A child may be at risk of harm
2. There is a serious risk of harm to someone
3. There is an immediate danger to life

If this happens, we will always try to talk this through with you and explain what is happening and why, wherever possible.

Our priority is to support you in a way that feels safe, respectful, and non-judgemental, while helping to keep people safe.

If you’re unsure about reaching out, you can find more information about what happens when you contact the helpline and the support you can expect. 

What to expect when you contact us