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.