Police and Criminal Prosecutions

Most Domestic Abuse behaviours are criminal offences.  You may decide to call the police, or someone may call the police on your behalf.  We understand that police involvement can be daunting but their priority should always be the safety of you, and if you have them, your children.

What can you expect from Surrey Police?

 Surrey Police have pledged to take positive action when dealing with domestic abuse incidents and have outlined their four priorities which are to:

  •  Protect the lives of both adults and children who are at risk of domestic abuse

  •  Investigate all reports of domestic abuse

  •  Facilitate positive effective action against offenders so that they can be held accountable through the criminal justice system

  •  Adopt a proactive multi-agency approach in preventing and reducing domestic abuse

Calling 999

​If you call 999 there are a list of things that the Police are expected to do such as speaking to you in private, checking on the welfare of you and any children at the address and completing a Risk Indicator Questionnaire (DASH - domestic abuse, stalking, harassment and honour based violence). This a series of questions that an attending officer must complete with you to help them and you understand the risks you face within your home or relationship. 

ESDAS Referral

​The attending officers should also ask for your consent to pass your contact details onto ESDAS (they may refer to us as Outreach). They will then ensure that we receive details of the incident so that we can contact you at a time that is appropriate and safe.

For further information about Surrey Police and their response to Domestic abuse please click here.  

There are also protective orders that the police may use in order to provide you as a victim of domestic abuse with immediate protection following an incident of domestic violence and to give you breathing space to consider your options.

Further information about these orders can be found here

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

 Once the Police have completed their initial investigations, they will refer the case to the Crown Prosecution Service for advice on how to proceed. They will then decide on whether a suspect should be charged, and what that charge should be. Click here to find out more above the CPS handle domestic abuse cases.

Court Proceedings

​If the CPS feel that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute, the perpetrator will be charged and given a date to attend the Specialist Domestic Abuse Court (SDAC) which operates on a Thursday at Guildford Magistrates Court.  These courts cluster and fast track domestic abuse cases. All court personnel are trained in domestic abuse and the courts are supported by a qualified Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA) who works out of the local outreach team.

The job of the IDVA is to support you through the criminal justice system by explaining the proceedings and keeping you updated on court decisions at the 1st hearing, subsequent bail and admin hearings and then after the trial at sentencing. The IDVA will contact you before the first hearing to explain what is happening, to discuss the situation and to hear your concerns. As they attend court, they are able to provide information to the court about your situation if you wish and can deliver court results, information on bail conditions and restraining orders and sentences to you on the day of the court.

Legal Options - further information

 The charity ‘Rights of Women’ has a wide range of online legal guides and handbooks to help women in England and Wales access justice and safety through the law here . Their helpline details can be found here