DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
What is domestic violence?
Domestic violence is any unlawful act, omission or behavior which results in the death or the direct infliction of physical, sexual or mental injury to any complainant.
Forms of domestic violence
a) physical abuse;
(b) sexual abuse;
(c) emotional, verbal and psychological abuse;
(d) economic abuse;
(e) intimidation;
(f) harassment;
(g) stalking;
(h) malicious damage to property;
(i) forcible entry into the complainant’s residence where the parties do not share the same residence;
(j) depriving the complainant of or hindering the complainant from access to or a reasonable share of the use of the facilities associated with the complainant’s place of residence.
(k) the unreasonable disposal of household effects or other property in which the complainant has an interest.
(l) abuse derived from the following cultural or customary rites or practices that discriminate against or degrade women—
(i) forced virginity testing; or
(ii) female genital mutilation; or
(iii) pledging of women or girls for purposes of appeasing spirits; or
(iv) forced marriage; or
(v) child marriage; or
(vi) forced wife inheritance; or
(vii) sexual intercourse between fathers-in-law and newly married daughters-in-law.
(m) abuse perpetrated on the complainant by virtue of complainant’s age, or complainant’s physical or mental incapacity.
(n) abuse perpetrated on the complainant by virtue of complainant’s physical, mental or sensory disability, including a visual, hearing or speech functional disability.
(o) abuse perpetrated on the complainant by virtue of complainant’s mental illness, arrested or incomplete development of the mind, psychopathic disorder or any other disorder or disability of the mind.
How do you protect yourself from domestic violence?
One can apply to the court for a protection order.
Who may apply for the protection order?
a) The complainant.
b) Any person acting with the consent of the complainant.
c) Any person having care or custody of a complainant who is a minor.
d) Any person acting as complainant’s representative, with or without the consent of the complainant.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only.
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