Wider reach for Act: Domestic violence now includes emotional abuse

IT will soon be a crime for a spouse to psychologically abuse or inflict emotional injury following amendments to the Domestic Violence Act 1994.

The Bill was tabled by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie for its first reading.

Currently, the Act only covers physical abuse.

Among the changes is the definition of domestic violence, which would include psychological abuse and emotional injury to a spouse including causing the victim to suffer delusions after being given intoxicating substances.

The protection also covers children who suffer delusions after being given intoxicating substances.

Also provided under the amendments is the right for the victim to claim for compensation for psychological abuse and emotional injury.

The new law also empowers the court to make an interim protection for victims, which also prohibits an errant spouse from harassing or inciting others to harass the victims.

The spouse with a protection order against him/her will also be restricted from coming within 50m or a reasonable distance from the victim as deemed fit by the court.

This also includes entering the victims workplace or school or home where the victim is taking shelter in.

The amendments also make it compulsory that the only contact between a victim and complainant be in the presence of a welfare officer or person named in the order.

Unlike the previous law, a police officer is now compelled to arrest a spouse who violates the protection order if the victim lodges a report.

The protection order against a spouse can now be made by way of substitute service or an order by the court and need not be served upon the person.

-The Star-