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Domestic Violence and Abuse Practice Questions

Free NPPF Step 2 Domestic Violence and Abuse questions with full answers, for Sergeant and Inspector candidates.

20+ questions in the full bankType A format

About this topic

Domestic abuse questions test the statutory definition of domestic abuse, the police and court powers to protect victims, and related offences.

Know the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 definition, Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders, controlling or coercive behaviour, and non-fatal strangulation.

Key legislation and cases

  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021
  • Serious Crime Act 2015, ss.75 and 75A
  • Crime and Security Act 2010

Worked examples

Try each question before opening the answer. Every option is explained, because the exam usually turns on why the near-miss answers are wrong.

Worked question 1 of 2Standard

PC Webb attends a domestic incident where Hargreaves has assaulted his partner. Hargreaves is not arrested. The attending sergeant considers whether to issue a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice. Which of the following correctly states the threshold for issuing a DAPN?

  1. AA DAPN can only be issued by an officer of inspector rank or above following consultation with a superintendent
  2. BA DAPN requires the consent of the victim before it can be issued - without that consent the notice has no legal effect
  3. CA senior police officer may issue a DAPN where there are reasonable grounds to believe the person has been abusive towards a person aged 16 or over to whom they are personally connected and that the notice is necessary to protect that person
  4. DA DAPN can only be issued after a previous domestic incident has been recorded at the same address within the preceding 12 months
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C

Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 a senior police officer - defined as inspector rank or above - may issue a Domestic Abuse Protection Notice where they have reasonable grounds to believe that the person has been abusive towards a person aged 16 or over to whom they are personally connected, and that the notice is necessary to protect that person from domestic abuse or the risk of it. The victim's consent is not required. There is no requirement for a previous recorded incident.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021
s.22: a senior police officer may give a DAPN to a person where the officer has reasonable grounds for believing that the person has been abusive towards a person aged 16 or over to whom they are personally connected and that it is necessary to give the notice to protect that person from domestic abuse or the risk of domestic abuse.
  • A: The threshold does not require superintendent consultation. An inspector or above may issue the notice on their own authority where the statutory grounds are met.
  • B: The victim's consent is not a prerequisite for issuing a DAPN. The protection exists to safeguard victims who may be unwilling or unable to give consent. Requiring consent would undermine the protective purpose of the notice.
  • D: There is no requirement for a previous recorded incident at the same address. The test is whether there are reasonable grounds to believe abuse has occurred and the notice is necessary - previous history may be relevant evidence but is not a statutory prerequisite.
Worked question 2 of 2Standard

Following a domestic incident DC Patel is considering charges. The victim says her partner grabbed her by the throat and squeezed for several seconds. She has redness to her neck but no lasting injury. Her partner says it was brief and caused no harm. Which of the following is correct?

  1. AThe conduct amounts to common assault at most - the absence of lasting injury means no more serious charge is available
  2. BThe conduct may amount to s.47 ABH but the redness alone is unlikely to satisfy the threshold without medical evidence of injury
  3. CThe conduct may constitute the offence of non-fatal strangulation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 regardless of whether injury results
  4. DNon-fatal strangulation under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 requires proof that the victim lost consciousness or suffered hypoxia - redness to the neck is insufficient
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created a specific offence of non-fatal strangulation inserting s.75A into the Serious Crime Act 2015. The offence is committed where a person intentionally strangles another person. It does not require proof of injury - the act of strangulation itself is the offence. The maximum sentence is 5 years. This offence was created specifically because strangulation was frequently charged as common assault despite being a recognised predictor of serious violence and lethality in domestic abuse cases.

s.70 Domestic Abuse Act 2021; s.75A Serious Crime Act 2015
s.75A(1): a person (A) commits an offence if A intentionally strangles another person (B). The offence does not require proof of injury.
  • A: The specific offence of non-fatal strangulation under s.75A Serious Crime Act 2015 inserted by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 is available on these facts. This is more appropriate than common assault and does not require injury to be proved.
  • B: While s.47 ABH may also be available the more targeted and specific charge is non-fatal strangulation under the 2021 Act. The offence does not require injury - the act of strangulation is sufficient.
  • D: Loss of consciousness or hypoxia is not required. The offence is complete on the intentional act of strangulation. The absence of serious physical injury does not defeat the charge.

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