GovWire

This statutory guidance is issued under section 84 (2) of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 about the effect of:

• section 1 (the definition of domestic abuse)
• section 2 (the definition of personally connected)
• section 3 (recognising children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right)

It is a framework document designed to support organisations to identify and respond to domestic abuse and promote best practice.

The guidance has been informed by the results of a public consultation carried out in August and September 2021.

The statutory guidance applies to England. It applies in Wales only to matters that are reserved to the UK government policing and criminal, civil and family justice.

It is aimed at statutory and non-statutory bodies working with victims, including children or perpetrators of domestic abuse, and at those dealing with other consequences of domestic abuse.

Accessible versions and the Welsh translation of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 statutory guidance will be published here as soon as possible.

Email any enquiries about this publication todomesticabuseenquiries@homeoffice.gov.uk.