What
is domestic violence?
Domestic Violence occurs when a partner, former
partner or family member attempts to control and dominate a person through
violence, the threat of violence or other means of control such as deprivation.
Fast facts :
- According to a national survey conducted by Women’s
Aid Organisation (WAO), about 40% of women over the age of 15 have been beaten
by their partners. This is consistent with global numbers.
-
The Domestic Violence Act was enacted in 1996 after
more than a decade of campaigning by women’s organizations including AWAM, and
other organizations.
-
Under the Act, domestic violence includes: causing
physical injury or placing the survivor in fear of physical injury; compelling
the survivor by force or by threat to engage in any conduct, sexual or
otherwise; destruction or damage of property; confining or detaining the
survivor against her will.
-
Under the Act, marital rape is not a crime.
-
Domestic violence often takes many forms such as physical and
psychological abuse. The latter includes put-downs and insults. This takes an
emotional toll on survivors who may experience fear, stress, guilt and
depression.
-
Abusers often inflict one or more forms of violence over a period of
time.
What to do if you are being abused by your partner?
- Make a police report
- If you fear for you or your children’s safety, tell the
police you would like to apply for an Interim Protection Order (IPO). With the
documents provided by the police, go to the Welfare Department in your
district. The officers will help you make the application with the Magistrate’s
court. The IPO must be served within seven days to the abuser.
- Seek medical treatment at the One Stop Crisis Centre
at major general hospitals.
- You may seek temporary shelter.
- If the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous,
have an escape plan in place.
- Call us or any women’s NGO for help and guidance.
|
;