"Go Orders" to provide breathing space for domestic violence victims

New powers announced by Home Secretary at Labour Party Conference

The police are to be given new powers to bar perpetrators of domestic violence from their homes for up to a fortnight, under proposals announced by Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, at the Labour Party Conference.

It is hoped that the new orders, to be known as "Go orders", will give the victim "breathing space" in which to assess their options, instead of being forced to seek temporary accommodation. Under the proposal, the police will be allowed to give evidence on the victim's behalf.

No date has been given as to when the required legislation will be put forward or where the scheme will be piloted.

An official announcement can be found on the Home Office website here. 

• Keywords:
• domestic violence