Abusive Behaviour in an intimate or family relationship – Domestic Abuse Offence - Statutory Guidance

The guidance should:

•    be used by the police, social services and criminal justice agencies investigating offences (or joint protocol cases);
•    assist those taking forward criminal proceedings for the domestic abuse offence;
•    guide the Probation Board for Northern Ireland in their assessment and analysis for the courts at pre-sentence stage; 
•    assist the work of non-governmental organisations and voluntary organisations; 
•    inform educational tools to raise awareness of the new domestic abuse offence; and
•    provide information on domestic abuse, and the domestic abuse offence under the Act, to those interested in the subject area (including anyone affected by domestic abuse).