An updated schedule for the commencement of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has been published.
| Section(s) | Provision | Commencement date |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1: Definition of “domestic abuse” | ||
| 1-2 | Definitions of “domestic abuse” and “personally connected” | 1 October 2021 |
| 3 | Children as victims | 30 January 2022 |
| Part 2: The Domestic Abuse Commissioner | ||
| 4-21 | The Domestic Abuse Commissioner | 1 November 2021 |
| Part 3: Powers for dealing with domestic abuse | ||
| 22-56, Schedule 1 | Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders | Early 2023 |
| Part 4: Local authority support | ||
| 57-61 | Local authority support | 1 October 2021 |
| Part 5: Protection for victims, witnesses, etc in legal proceedings | ||
| 62 | Special measures in criminal proceedings for offences involving domestic abuse | 19 May 2022 (partial commencement) |
| 63 | Special measures in family proceedings: victims of domestic abuse | 1 October 2021 |
| 64 | Special measures in civil proceedings: victims of domestic abuse etc | 14 June 2022 |
| 65 | Prohibition of cross-examination in person in family proceedings | 21 July 2022 |
| 66 | Prohibition of cross-examination in person in civil proceedings | 21 July 2022 |
| 67 | Orders under section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 | 19 May 2022 |
| Part 6: Offences involving abusive or violent behaviour | ||
| 68 | Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship | Summer/Autumn 2022 |
| 69 | Threats to disclose private sexual photographs or films with intent to cause distress | 29 June 2021 |
| 70 and Schedule 2 | Strangulation or suffocation | 7 June 2022 |
| 71 | Consent to serious harm for sexual gratification not a defence | 29 April 2021 |
| 72 | Offences against the person committed outside the UK: England and Wales | 29 June 2021 |
| 73 | Offences against the person committed outside the UK: Northern Ireland | 21 February 2022 |
| 74 | Amendments relating to offences committed outside the UK | Subsections (1) and (2): 29 June 2021, Subsection (3): 21 February 2022 |
| Schedule 3 | Amendments relating to offences committed outside the UK | Parts 1 and 2: 29 June 2021, Part 3: 21 February 2022 |
| Part 7: Miscellaneous and general | ||
| 75 | Strategy for the prosecution and management of offenders | 29 April 2021 |
| 76 | Polygraph conditions for offenders released on licence | 5 July 2021 |
| 77 | Guidance about the disclosure of information by police forces | Summer/Autumn 2022 |
| 78 | Homelessness: victims of domestic abuse | 5 July 2021 |
| 79 | Grant of secure tenancies in cases of domestic abuse | 1 November 2021 |
| 80 | Prohibition on charging for the provision of medical evidence of domestic abuse | 1 October 2021 |
| 81 | Review of processing of victims’ personal data for immigration purposes | 29 April 2021 |
| 82 | Code of practice | To be determined |
| 83 | Report on the use of contact centres in England | 29 April 2021 |
| 84 | Power of the Secretary of State to issue guidance about domestic abuse, etc | To be determined |
| 85-86 | Powers to make consequential or transitional provision, etc | 29 April 2021 |
| 87-91 | Final provisions | 29 April 2021 |
For the full schedule including footnotes, see here.
