Villupuram's Social Welfare Office Offers Guidance On Domestic Violence Law

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 was enacted to protect women from domestic violence and resolve cases within 60 days. Muthamil Sheela, Protection Officer, District Social Welfare Office, Villupuram, has shared a lot of information about the law and informed that all violence against women will be solved under this law.

Purpose of the Act

To bring justice to women by appealing to the judicial arbitrator through the Protection Officer, highlighting the cruelty, threats and attacks caused by the husband or the husband’s family.

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is defined as any act, behaviour, or omission that harms or injures a woman physically, mentally, sexually, or financially.

Where can you file a complaint?

First, the victimized women should file a complaint at the women’s police station in the area, after which they will inform the authorities under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act, who are running the Social Welfare Department of the respective district, and they will file a complaint in that name and resolve it.

Special Features of the Act

Guarantees the right to residence under Article 17, which guarantees economic relief by recognizing economic violence. Recognizes verbal and emotional violence. Provides temporary custody of the child. Judgments are given within 60 days of filing the case, the woman does not need to file multiple cases for this. Multiple judgments are awarded to women in the same case.

Legal protection orders

Protection orders can be obtained under Section 18 to prevent domestic violence. Under Section 19, a husband can get a stay order. Under Section 20, the petitioner and the petitioner’s children can get basic needs. An order can be obtained under Section 21 to keep the children in temporary custody of the mother. Compensation orders can be obtained for victimized women under Section 22.

How to prevent domestic violence?

Sheela said that one should adapt to each other in the family, the wife should see the husband’s family as her own family, and the husband should see the wife’s family as his own family.

She further said that if women in the Villupuram district face any problems, they can approach the Social Welfare Protection Office operating in the Villupuram District Collectorate.