Domestic Violence
Introduction
The phenomenon of domestic violence remains one of the most prevalent yet largely invisiblised forms of violence in the public domain. It is a manifestation of inequality within the home. Contrary to the general belief, violence faced by women in intimate relationships is neither restricted to certain social sections nor is it manifested only in its physical form. Domestic violence occurs in many forms - physical, emotional, sexual, economic, verbal and others, and a woman may face violence in any one, two or in combination of all of them.Read more
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on commonly asked questions, we've compiled answers on issues related to Women's RightsRead more
Campaigning for the Law
The Lawyers Collective (Women's Rights Initiative) began its campaign for a civil law on domestic violence in the early 1990s. The need for a specific law on domestic violence was obvious, given the fact that the Indian legal and political systems have denied adequate legal redress to women facing violence within homes and intimate relationships for long.Read more
The Passage of the Law
Following the inclusion of the domestic violence bill as a priority within the CMP, we were invited to a series of discussions on the proposed bill with the Secretary and members of the Department of Women and Child in the months of May - July. Based on these discussions, it was decided that the LCWRI Bill would be taken as the basis for any future law on domestic violence.Read more
The Roadmap Ahead
The Roadmap Ahead: Drafting the Protocols & Manuals on PWDVA 2005
Now with the successful culmination of the campaign to create a sensitive, gender-just domestic violence law, the LCWRI has been approached by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to draft Training Protocols and IEC materials to create awareness on the law and for the use of the implementing agencies. Read more
Activities & Updates
- The Manual for Protection Officers and the Bench Manual are in the process of creation
- Applications have been filed under the PWDVA
- First Interim Ex-parte order under the Act for LCWRI
- Conference for Magistrates on PWDVA in Mumbai scheduled for March 2007
Advocacy & Training
Our advocacy work on domestic violence continues, and in fact, has assumed a new significance in light of the issues raised with regard to implementation of the Act at state levels as well as the need to ensure that the law is understood and interpreted in its true spirit.
The LCWRI has been actively engaged in advocating for putting in place the implementing agencies and structures under the ActRead more
Domestic Violence Publications
The Colloquium on Domestic Violence 1999: An excerpt
The campaign for mainstreaming the issue of domestic violence was in effect started with the Colloquium on "Empowerment through Law" organized by LCWRI on May 8-9 1999. The aim of the colloquium was to have the judiciary recognize that domestic violence exists and has to be prevented through law. The Chief Justice of India inaugurated the event, with judges of the Supreme Court and high court.Read more
Core Group
Domestic Violence Core Group
In keeping with our goal to ensure and monitor effective implementation of the new Domestic Violence law as well as to raise awareness on the issue as the next step of the Campaign, a national Core Group has been formed with various individual lawyers, activists and NGOs working on the issue of domestic violence. The LCWRI is a member of this Core Group. Read more
Email Hotline
Domestic Violence Email Hotline
For all your queries relating to domestic violence and the new law, mail us at lawyerscollective.wri@gmail.com
Legal Aid
For details on our legal aid initiative on domestic violence, kindly refer to the Section on Legal Aid CellRead more
Survivors' Group
In recognition of the fact that survivors of violence are in an ideal position to understand and empathize with other survivors, the LCWRI has facilitated the formation of a "Survivors' Group" in Mumbai .Read more
Landmark Judgments & Orders (Recentely Updated)
Important Judgments under the PWDVARead more