Petition · Ministry of Justice

Grant non-molestation orders based on past abuse, not just risk of future harm

Closed 46 signatures

What the petition asks

We call on the Government to change the law so that non-molestation orders are always granted based on evidence of past domestic abuse, even if there has not been a recent incident. Currently, victims must prove not only that abuse has taken place but that there is an ongoing risk of future harm.
Survivors are often refused non-molestation orders because judges say abuse is not "recent". This leaves victims exposed if abusers are briefly on "good behaviour" e.g. during court cases. Even some survivors of near-fatal attacks are told they must wait to be harmed again before getting protection. A lot of domestic abuse is cyclical so pauses don't remove risk. The law must recognise this & close the loophole: allow survivors protection based on past abuse without waiting for further violence.

Timeline

21 Nov 2025 Petition opened for signatures
21 May 2026 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 46
Status Closed
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 21 Nov 2025
Closed 21 May 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 20 Aug 2026.