Domestic Violence and the Law
Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Act, 2005 came into force on October 17, 2006. This is a landmark legislation as for the first time it specifically recognises and gives a statutory definition to the domestic violence. The domestic violence further recognises it as a serious problem and attempts to take action on this grave issue. It is not that the issue of violence was not being addressed earlier and that the penal provisions did not provide for addressing the issue of violence. But one has to accept the fact that when the issue is linked to that of violence happening within the family, there is an inherent reluctance on the part of the society in general to intervene. However, it seemed woefully inadequate to address the complexities arising out of the issue of violence. Now, with the new Act, there seems to be some hope for the victim women.