Domestic Violence Prevention Act 2013

Brief Description

While the Constitution provides a broad legal basis to initiate and strengthen institutional mechanisms to eliminate domestic violence, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (DVPA) 2013 specifies a focused approach to preventing domestic violence, protecting victims and holding the perpetrators accountable. The Act also provides a legal basis for all the relevant agencies to work in a collaborative manner to address the issue. The DVPA recognises that women constitute the majority of the victims/survivors and mandates the establishment of appropriate procedures and services to adequately support the victims and hold the perpetrators accountable. The Act defines different forms of domestic violence and their scope. Recognising alcohol and intoxication as a recurrent factor for triggering domestic violence, the DVPA responds to any act of domestic violence under intoxication as an aggravating factor for a penalty. The DVPA also provides for the issuance of interim/protection orders for victims of domestic violence if the court determines that an act of domestic violence is being committed or there is a threat to commit such act by the perpetrator. The interim protection/protection orders prohibit the defendant from committing or aiding to commit domestic violence.