Download Bare Act of the Domestic Voilence Act, 2005 (PDF version)

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Introduction

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (short name – DV Act) came into force on 26 October 2006. It is one of the strongest laws in India to protect women from violence inside the home. This law is secular – it applies to every woman in India, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Buddhist or no religion. The Act treats physical beating, mental torture, economic abuse and sexual abuse as crimes. It gives fast relief – sometimes within 48–72 hours.

Scope & Objective

The Act covers violence that happens in a domestic relationship (marriage, live-in, blood relation, adoption, joint family). Main goals:

  • Stop violence immediately

  • Protect the woman’s right to stay in the shared house

  • Give her money for daily needs

  • Protect children from seeing or facing violence

  • Provide medical help and shelter if needed

Key Definitions – Explained with Real-Life Examples

Here are the most important words in the Act, made very simple:

  • Aggrieved Person Any woman who is or was in a domestic relationship with the man. Example: Wife, live-in partner, divorced wife, mother, sister, daughter – all can file.

  • Domestic Relationship Living together (or lived together) in a shared household. Example: – Married couple – Live-in girlfriend – Son’s wife staying with in-laws – Widow living with brother-in-law

  • Domestic Violence (four types)

    1. Physical – beating, slapping, pushing

    2. Sexual – forced sex, treating as sex object

    3. Verbal & Emotional – constant insults, threats, calling names, stopping from meeting parents

    4. Economic – not giving money for food, medicine, school fees; throwing out of house

    Real Example: If husband says “I will not pay school fees until you listen to me” – this is economic abuse.

  • Shared Household The house where the woman lived (or has right to live) with the man. It can be husband’s house, in-laws’ house, rented flat, ancestral property. Example: Even if the house is in mother-in-law’s name, daughter-in-law can claim right to stay there.

  • Respondent The adult male who did the violence + any relative (mother-in-law, brother-in-law, etc.) who helped or encouraged it.

  • Protection Officer A government officer (usually a woman) appointed in every district. She helps file the case free of cost.

Applicability of the Law

This Act works for:

  • Every woman citizen of India

  • Foreign women married to Indian men

  • Live-in relationships (even without marriage)

  • Past relationships (divorced women can still file)

  • Daughters, sisters, mothers facing violence from male relatives

  • Transgender women and women in same-sex relationships (as per Supreme Court reading in 2021–2025)

It does NOT matter what religion you follow.

Important Provisions – Step-by-Step Rights You Get

The Act is very powerful because it gives civil remedies (fast and cheap) instead of only police FIR.

  1. Right to Residence (Section 17) No one can throw you out of the shared house. You can stay even if the house is not in your name.

  2. Protection Order (Section 18) Court can order the husband/relative to stop violence immediately. Example: “Do not enter the bedroom”, “Do not call or message threats”.

  3. Residence Order (Section 19) Court can:

    • Stop husband from throwing you out

    • Order him to leave the house (if danger is very high)

    • Give you a separate portion of the same house

    • Pay rent if you have to live elsewhere

  4. Monetary Relief (Section 20) Husband must pay for:

    • Medical bills

    • Loss of earnings

    • Monthly maintenance (food, clothes, education)

    • Damage to property (broken phone, torn clothes)

  5. Custody Orders (Section 21) Mother gets temporary custody of children. Father can only get visitation rights.

  6. Compensation Order (Section 22) Extra money for mental pain and suffering (₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh common).

  7. Breach of Order is Crime (Section 31) If he disobeys court order → police can arrest → up to 1 year jail or ₹20,000 fine.

  8. Free Legal Help & Shelter Protection Officer must arrange free lawyer, medical help, and safe shelter home if needed.

  9. Time Limit No strict time limit – you can file even after many years of suffering.

  10. How to File (Very Simple Process)

    • Contact nearest Protection Officer (list on womenchild.wcd.gov.in)

    • Or go directly to Magistrate court

    • Or call Women Helpline 181 or 112

    • File Domestic Incident Report (DIR) – free form

    • First hearing usually within 3 days

    • Interim order (temporary relief) possible within days or weeks

  11. Appeal If unhappy with Magistrate order → appeal to Sessions Court within 30 days.

Emergency Help Numbers (2025)

  • Women Helpline (all India) → 181 or 7827170170

  • Police Emergency → 100 or 112

  • National Commission for Women → 7827-170-170

  • One Stop Centre (Sakhi Centres) → available in every district

Final Message

The DV Act is not about breaking families – it is about stopping cruelty and giving women dignity inside the home. Thousands of women get protection orders every month. You do not need money or a big lawyer. Just speak up once – the law will stand with you.

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