Violent husbands and partners are to be banned from their own homes for up to a fortnight to allow their victims "breathing space", under new powers announced by home secretary Alan Johnson.
Under the proposed measures, police will be able to use the Domestic Violence Protection Orders to prevent victims of domestic violence having to use emergency accommodation.
The initiative, outlined by Johnson in his speech to the Labour Party conference, will be trialled in two areas.
Police will be able to instantly ban anyone arrested for domestic violence from returning to their family home and the immediate neighbourhood for up to 14 days.
At present only men arrested and charged with an offence can be barred from their own homes.
"For too long it seemed to be accepted that domestic violence against women and girls was a private matter," Johnson told conference.
"But the police tell us that they often find that that they are unable to stop the aggressor in a domestic violence situation - invariably the man - from returning to the property straight away, putting the victim at risk of more violence. That must change."
Under the new measures, officers who do not have enough evidence to charge a suspect but understand a woman is in danger will be able to seek a protection order.
Should the order be breached, a prison sentence could follow.
But the move has faced criticism from campaigners for victims of domestic violence, who say the plan can only work if more funding is put in place.
Refuge chief executive Sandra Horley said: "We hope the government will underpin these positive initiatives with the funding and training needed to ensure this, and, in doing so, alter radically the number of women whose lives are blighted by domestic violence."
The announcement comes as justice secretary Jack Straw unveils £2m in funding for the launch of the National Victims Service, to provide one-to-one care for bereaved relatives.
