Domestic Violence Act, 2005
➔ Women form the largest group of victims of domestic violence since time immemorial and violence against
women still continues even in the 21st century. Women from every social background irrespective of their age,
religion, caste, or class fall victim to domestic violence.
➔ However domestic violence is not just limited to women; men, children and elderly people can also be victims
of it. Domestic violence occurs at all levels of society and in all population groups.
➔ The offence of domestic violence is committed by someone in the victim’s domestic circle. It includes family
members, relatives, etc. The term domestic violence is often used when there is a close cohabitating
relationship between the offender and the victim.
➔ The various forms of domestic violence include senior abuse, child abuse, honour-based abuse such as honour
killing, female genital mutilation, and all forms of abuse by an intimate partner.
➔ In India domestic violence is governed by the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and it is
defined under Section 3, which states that any act, commission, omission or conduct of a person harms or
injures or endangers the health or safety of an individual whether mentally or physically it amounts to
domestic violence. It further includes any harm, harassment or injury caused to an individual or any person
related to that individual to meet any unlawful demand would also amount to domestic violence.
Objectives of the Domestic Violence Act:
➔ To identify and determine that every act of domestic violence is unlawful and punishable by law.
➔ To provide protection to victims of domestic violence in the cases such acts occur.
➔ To serve justice in a timely, cost-effective, and convenient manner to the aggrieved person.
➔ To prevent the commission of domestic violence and to take adequate steps if such violence occurs.
➔ To implement sufficient programmes and agendas for the victims of domestic violence and to guarantee the
recovery of such victims.
➔ To create awareness among the people about domestic violence.
➔ To enforce harsh punishment and must hold the culprits accountable for committing such heinous acts of
violence.
➔ To lay down the law and govern it in accordance with the international standards for the prevention of
domestic violence.
Provisions of the Domestic Violence Act
➔ Women form the largest group of victims of domestic violence since time immemorial and violence against
women still continues even in the 21st century. Women from every social background irrespective of their age,
religion, caste, or class fall victim to domestic violence.
➔ However domestic violence is not just limited to women; men, children and elderly people can also be victims
of it. Domestic violence occurs at all levels of society and in all population groups.
➔ The offence of domestic violence is committed by someone in the victim’s domestic circle. It includes family
members, relatives, etc. The term domestic violence is often used when there is a close cohabitating
relationship between the offender and the victim.
➔ The various forms of domestic violence include senior abuse, child abuse, honour-based abuse such as honour
killing, female genital mutilation, and all forms of abuse by an intimate partner.
➔ In India domestic violence is governed by the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and it is
defined under Section 3, which states that any act, commission, omission or conduct of a person harms or
injures or endangers the health or safety of an individual whether mentally or physically it amounts to
domestic violence. It further includes any harm, harassment or injury caused to an individual or any person
related to that individual to meet any unlawful demand would also amount to domestic violence.
Objectives of the Domestic Violence Act:
➔ To identify and determine that every act of domestic violence is unlawful and punishable by law.
➔ To provide protection to victims of domestic violence in the cases such acts occur.
➔ To serve justice in a timely, cost-effective, and convenient manner to the aggrieved person.
➔ To prevent the commission of domestic violence and to take adequate steps if such violence occurs.
➔ To implement sufficient programmes and agendas for the victims of domestic violence and to guarantee the
recovery of such victims.
➔ To create awareness among the people about domestic violence.
➔ To enforce harsh punishment and must hold the culprits accountable for committing such heinous acts of
violence.
➔ To lay down the law and govern it in accordance with the international standards for the prevention of
domestic violence.
Provisions of the Domestic Violence Act
