New proposals to help women and children subject to domestic violence to stay safely in their own homes have been published by the government.

The consultation paper Safety and Justice proposes that police are given powers to arrest perpetrators of domestic violence as soon as an attack has taken place.

By making common assault an arrestable offence, the government would enable police to immediately remove from the home someone who had assaulted their partner.

The consultation also proposes to strengthen the protection of those who are threatened with domestic violence by making it a criminal offence to breach a civil order such as a non-molestation order, and to extend the use of restraining orders so that they will be available to courts in a wider range of situations.

Under the consultation the government is seeking views on other ways to help the victims of domestic violence to stay in their homes. Rehousing perpetrators is one option being considered.

Home secretary David Blunkett also announced that a place of safety would be made available for asylum seekers who are victims of domestic violence.