Domestic and intimate partner violence

The Domestic Violence Act 1994 marked the first comprehensive recognition of domestic violence as a serious social issue in Malaysia, establishing legal protection and remedies for victims. It allows survivors to obtain protection against further abuse and to seek compensation for harm suffered. The Act applies broadly to family members, including spouses, former spouses, de facto partners, children (biological or adopted), persons with disabilities, and others regarded as members of the household.

The Domestic Violence Act and the Domestic Violence Regulations promulgated thereunder offer complainants (any person in a domestic relationship who alleges she/he is the subject of domestic violence, including a child in the care of the complainant) the maximum protection possible from domestic abuse by imposing obligations on the police and other organs of state to prevent and assist the elimination of domestic violence (defined as including, inter alia, sexual abuse, physical abuse, stalking and harassment).

The Domestic Violence Act set forth the procedures for granting protection orders in situations involving domestic violence.  Under Part III of the Act, once a protection order has been granted, a police officer could, without a warrant, enter any premises “if he has reasonable grounds to suspect that a protection order is being violated.”  Section 42 of Part IV of the Act provided that, once a police officer has intervened in a case of domestic violence, “the police officer shall as soon as possible take all reasonable measures within his power to prevent the victim of domestic v

The Domestic Violence Act of Trinidad and Tobago provides legal protection to victims of domestic violence, including physical, psychological, and financial abuse. Victims may apply to the court for a protection order if the abuse is occurring, has occurred, or is likely to occur. A protection order can include restrictions on approaching or contacting the victim, entering their residence, or taking their property. It may also require the respondent to leave the home or pay interim financial support.

The Domestic Violence Act of 2010 (the “DVA”) defines and prohibits domestic violence.  The penalty for domestic violence is imprisonment not to exceed two years or the payment of a fine not to exceed forty-eight currency points, or both.  At the Court’s discretion, the perpetrator may also have to provide monetary compensation to the victim.  Romantic and other familial relationships are “domestic,” and marriage is expressly not required.  Domestic violence complaints may be brought before local council courts (“LC courts”) pursuant to the procedures outlined in the DVA

The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Domestic Violence Act of 2015 protects individuals from domestic violence, defining it as any physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, or financial abuse, including stalking, intimidation, harassment, or property damage, among people in close relationships, such as spouses, cohabitants, family members, partners, or individuals sharing a household. It establishes a legal framework for safety, including:

Under the Domestic Violence Act of Saint Lucia the act of domestic violence is broadly defined to include both mental and physical harm. Any person who is convicted of the crime of domestic violence is subject to a fine not exceeding ten thousand East Caribbean dollars, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.

The Domestic Violence Act (No. 10 of 2008) seeks to provide survivors of domestic violence with protection. The Act defines domestic violence as "any controlling or abusive behaviour that harms the health or safety of the applicant" and includes various forms of abuse, nonconsensual entry into applicant’s home, unlawful detainment, and stalking.

An offence under the Domestic Violence Act (the “Act”) is defined as controlling or abusive conduct that harms the health, safety, and well-being of any person or child. Such conduct may include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse, as well as intimidation and harassment. Romantic relationships, familial relationships, parental responsibility, and cohabitation may be classified as a “domestic relationship” under this Act.

The Domestic Violence Act (“DVA”) was originally enacted in 1996, and was amended in 2004 and 2023. It establishes civil remedies to protect individuals from domestic abuse, including physical, emotional, and threatening conduct. Courts may issue protection orders and occupation orders. Applications may be made by victims, and in the case of children, by parents, guardians, constables, social workers, or other approved representatives.