Avenues Available for Victims of Family/ Domestic Violence

avenues-available-for-victims-of-family-domestic-violence

Earlier in the blog post titled What is family violence? What can I do if I am a victim of family violence?, the term ‘protection order’ was mentioned.

This blog post will delve into what it means by protection order and aims to shed light on the various avenues available for victims of domestic violence. It will then mention what will happen if there is a breach by the offender.

There are 2 avenues available namely:

  1. Personal protection order; and
  2. Expedited order.
Avenues for Victims of Domestic Violence What it is about;
Personal Protection Order (PPO)
  • Apply at Family Justice Courts
  • Protects the family member against the offender which includes spouse or former spouse, child of the person (including adopted child and step-child), parents/in-laws/ siblings of offender, any other relative of the person or an incapacitated person who in the opinion of the court should, in the circumstances, in either case be regarded as a member of the family of the person.
Expedited Order (EO)
  • A temporary PPO that can be issued in the absence of offender
  • Used in urgent situations where there is an imminent risk of family violence
  • Must be able to show the imminent risk
  • Valid for 28 days or when the trial begins (whichever earlier)

If there is a breach of PPO or EO by the offender, the police should be informed. The offender is guilty of an offense and will be fined not exceeding $2,000 or to imprisoned for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Where it is the offender’s second or subsequent breach, the offender will be fined not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisoned for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.

Section 64 of Women’s Charter (Chapter 353)

Section 66(1) of Women’s Charter (Chapter 353)

Section 66(2) of Women’s Charter (Chapter 353)

Section 65(8) of Women’s Charter (Chapter 353)

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