The Domestic Violence (Programmes) Regulations 1996

Introduction

The Domestic Violence (Programmes) Regulations 1996 (as amended 2002) do not apply to criminal proceedings. However, they establish the type and nature of programmes to be provided for respondents under the Domestic Violence Act 1995.

Mandatory requirements

There is a mandatory requirement for every person who has a domestic protection order against them to attend an approved programme provided by the Department for Courts.

What the regulations cover

The regulations set out the approval process for programme providers; the contents and presentation of programmes; and the goals and structure of programmes. S.32 and 33 deal with the goals and structure of the respondent's programmes.

Offenders subject to a supervision order with a counselling condition can also be subject to a protection order with a counselling condition under the Domestic Violence Act 1995. It is therefore possible that both orders may be satisfied through attendance on one programme.

DVA approved programmes

Offenders who have special conditions to attend a programme for domestic violence should only be referred to providers approved under the Domestic Violence Act 1995.