Minister visits Advance to announce ‘restriction zones’ to give domestic abuser survivors more protection

August 8, 2025

The Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women & Girls, Alex Davies-Jones, and TV personality and domestic abuse campaigner Georgia Harrison visit Advance to announce new protections for victim-survivors. Alex and Georgia met five women with lived experience supported by Advance to discuss their views about the new measures.

New restriction zones will curb the freedoms of the most serious sexual and violent offenders by ‘locking’ them into specific areas where necessary, aiming to empower survivors to live their lives. Under plans outlined offenders will be pinned down to certain areas with tough monitoring supported by proven technology – with the possibility of time behind bars for those who breach restrictions.

Alex Davies-Jones said:

“Through our Plan for Change, we’re putting victims first. This move will strengthen safeguards for victims. I’ve heard firsthand how this innovative approach will give them the peace of mind they deserve and rebuild their lives without fear.”

Probation Officers will conduct a detailed risk assessment and work with victims on the creation of restriction zones, making sure zones prevent contact while giving survivors the maximum freedom to rebuild their lives.

Amy Glover, Advance’s Director of DA Services, welcomed the announcement but added:

“I’m interested to see how it’ll be rolled out in practice. For example, how will it be monitored? Because if you implement measures like this, and then they can’t be monitored effectively due to insufficient resourcing, what you actually end up is creating a false sense of security for survivors.”

Helen, who was in an abusive relationship for 25 years, criticised the current system. Saying her abuser received no punishment despite breaching his restraining order seven times.

Helen said:

“I’m relieved that the new restriction zones will shift the onus onto abusers. It’s unbelievable how when a woman has finally got the courage to break away from her abuser, her life is thrown off balance for years.”

Wider reforms in the probation system will see thousands more offenders tagged, backed by a boost in funding of up to £700 million by 2028/29.

In addition, 1300 new trainee probation officers will be brought in next year to increase capacity and new technology to free up time for workers to effectively supervise the most dangerous offenders and keep the public safe.