Click the 'quick exit' button if you are concerned someone is watching over your shoulder or you need to switch to another website. This button will not prevent anyone from looking through your browser history or knowing you were on this site if they are monitoring your device or internet activity remotely.
If you think you are being monitored, access this page from another device.
As you scroll below, click or tap on the images to reveal a quick exit button.
Please note, the legislation for these applications and orders has not yet been commenced and is prospective. This page is provided for information only.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, or have concerns about someone, please contact the Royal Falkland Islands Police on 28100 or 999.
Domestic Abuse is abusive behaviour which consists of any of the following:
- physical or sexual abuse
- violent or threatening behaviour
- controlling or coercive behaviour
- economic abuse
- psychological, emotional or other abuse.
For the purposes of legislation within the Falkland Islands, a 'domestic' context is between people who are "personally connected" and is if any of the following applies:
(a) they are, or have been, married to each other;
(b) they are, or have been, civil partners of each other;
(c) they have agreed to marry one another (whether or not the agreement has been terminated);
(d) they have entered into a civil partnership agreement (whether or not the agreement has been terminated);
(e) they are, or have been, in an intimate personal relationship with each other;
(f) they each have, or there has been a time when they each have had, a parental relationship in relation to the same child (see subsection (2)); or
(g) they are relatives.
"relative" means:
(a) the father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandmother, grandfather, grandson or granddaughter of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner, or
(b) the brother, sister, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew or first cousin (whether of the full blood or of the half blood or by marriage or civil partnership) of that person or of that person’s spouse, former spouse, civil partner or former civil partner,
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you may apply to the court for a Domestic Abuse Protection Order ('DAPO').
A DAPO may be made by any court (family, civil or criminal) to protect victims from all forms of domestic abue, including non-physical abuse and controlling or coercive behaviour. Applications can be made by individuals affected, or by someone who is not directly involved known as a 'third-party'. A third-party could include a family member, friend or social worker.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, a DAPN or DAPO may be used or applied for on your behalf and for your protection. In some circumstances, a DAPN will be given or a DAPO will be made without your consent if it is believed you are at risk of harm.
If you are already involved in another court case, the court may make a DAPO if the court decides it is necessary to protect you. The court can do this even if the case does not relate to domestic abuse. The court will consider your views before doing so.
The law also allows the police to issue a DAPN or make a DAPO application to protect you. They will do this if they consider the perpetrator has been abusive towards you or you are at risk of abuse. The police have a duty to consider your views before proceeding.
When the police apply for a DAPO on your behalf, they may ask you whether you would like to submit oral or written evidence to support their application. Any evidence submitted may be considered by the court at the hearing. If the police apply for a DAPO on your behalf, you cannot be compelled to attend the court hearing, unless you have submitted evidence.