Family & Domestic Violence

PROTECTION AGAINST VIOLENCE

Meaning of Violence – Section.64 WC
⇒ Physical Violence
⇒ Psychological Harm
⇒ Wrongful Restraint
⇒ Harassment

AVENUES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS

Criminal law remedies under penal code.
Tort remedies at common law.
Civil law remedies (WC).

1. Criminal Law Remedies
⇒ Not popular.
⇒ Not practical.
⇒ Insufficient protection for accused person.
⇒ Slow Process.
⇒ Police reluctant to be involved in domestic disputes

2. Tortious Remedies (INJUNCTION AGAINST):
⇒ Battery
⇒ Assualt
⇒ False imprisonment
⇒ Nuisance
⇒ Trespass

3. Women’s Charter Remedies
⇒ Section.65(2)
⇒ Available to any Family Member only to Married Person.

ENFORCEMENT

Section.65 (8) of Women’s Charter
⇒ Fine of maximum S$2,000 or jail of 6 months or both
⇒ Second or subsequent convictions – fine S$5,000 or jail of 12 months or both

TYPES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Section.65 (8) of Women’s Charter
⇒ Assault
⇒ Threat
⇒ Continuous harassment
⇒ Violence
⇒ Abuse

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABUSE: (EXTRACTED FROM STRAITS TIMES JUN 25, 2000)

Verbal/emotional abuse
⇒ “I did an act of charity by marrying you”
⇒ “You’re good for nothing – not knowing how to care for the house”
⇒ “You are a woman full of defects”
⇒ “You are fat and ugly”
⇒ Abuse

Economic abuse
⇒ “I did an act of charity by marrying you”
⇒ He gives her an allowance, then take it back

Pyschological abuse
⇒ Banging a kitchen table when talking
⇒ Turning off water and electricity when his wife is bathing
⇒ Making spot checks on wife at workplace

Meaning of Violence in Singapore under Section.64 WC are physical violence, psychological harm, wrongful restraint and harassment. Hire Private Detectives for family and domestic violence disputes.