Domestic Violence Act, Cap. 84, Grenada

The Domestic Violence Act (the “DVA”) serves to combat the prevalence of domestic violence in Grenada. Section Two(g) of the DVA defines “domestic violence” as any controlling or abusive behavior that harms a person’s health, safety, or well-being (including any child), and includes, inter alia, physical abuse or threats of physical abuse, sexual abuse or threats of sexual abuse, emotional, verbal or psychological abuse, intimidation, harassment, stalking, property damage or destruction, and unauthorized entry into the victim’s residence when the parties do not share the same residence. Under Section Five of the DVA, persons – including victims, family of victims, and dependents of victims – may apply for a protection order on the grounds that the respondent has engaged in domestic violence. Under Section 19(1) of the DVA, police officers have a duty to respond to every complaint or report alleging domestic violence, whether or not the person making the complaint or the report is the victim. Then, police officers shall complete a domestic violence report, which is filed in the Domestic Violence Register. Under Section 36 of the DVA, a person who violates the DVA is subject to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars and/or imprisonment not exceeding five years upon conviction.

Topics

• Domestic and intimate partner violence
• Gender-based violence in general
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual violence and rape
• Stalking

Geographical location

• Central America & the Caribbean
• Grenada

Keywords

• battered spouse
• marital rape
• order of protection

Year

• 2011

External URL

• Domestic Violence Act, Cap. 84, Grenada

Type

• Legislation

Jurisdiction

• Grenada