Safeguarding specialists protect survivor from coercive and controlling abuser for years thanks to Home Office pilot

• A survivor of domestic abuse will be protected from a coercive and controlling abuser for at least four years thanks to our safeguarding specialists trialling a Home Office pilot in GM.
• Christopher Cullen (36), from Bury and who was jailed earlier this week, will be subject to a Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) prohibiting him from indirectly or directly contacting the victim and being 700 metres from her address.
• He will also be on an electronic tag for 12 months when he is released from prison.

On Monday, Cullen was sentenced to over two years in prison for abusing a woman who thought that, on at least two occasions, violence would be used against her between December 2014 and August 2024.

He repeatedly degraded her by calling her derogatory names, restricted access to family and friends, made intrusive enquiries into her mobile phone, controlled her money, and restricted what clothes she could wear.

Cullen had previously strangled the woman while she was pregnant, fractured her jaw, and assaulted her causing a cut to her head.

The DAPO is one of more than 50 issued across our pilot areas of Bury, Manchester and Wigan since it was launched in November as part of a Home Office pilot. It is one of the longest orders to date and was issued the day before Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips visit our GMP teams.

DAPOs are being used to protect victims from all types of domestic abuse offences, whether that be physical, sexual, or coercive and controlling behaviour. They are already having an impact in our pilot areas of Manchester, Bury, and Wigan.

They can be granted for any length of time, may require ‘positive requirements’ for perpetrators such as electronic monitoring or attendance at a behaviour change programme, and any breach is an arrestable criminal offence.

One key benefit for victims is that DAPO applications do not require a victim to attend or provide evidence at court. Police work with local partners to compile all necessary information for the courts to authorise the sought-after orders.

Our officers are working hard to ensuring these lifechanging orders are reaching victims who may otherwise have not been protected. We are potentially stopping offenders from going on to seriously, or perhaps even fatally, harm someone.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker is our lead for public protection and vulnerability. She said: “DAPOs are continuing to make a huge difference in the lives of victims across Greater Manchester, ensuring they get the necessary protection and support following abuse suffered by family members or partners.

“These orders can benefit people in multiple ways and any suspect found to breach one can be arrested. The introduction of DAPOs is enhancing our officers ability to protect victims, and importantly it is empowering victims to come forward to support meaningful action.

“I would like to say to victims of domestic abuse that their reports will be taken seriously, and officers will do all they can to investigate the claims they make, with a view to providing the best possible safeguarding. Even if you are not directly involved – DAPOs can still be granted through the intervention of a third party.”