Domestic Violence
harassment
coercive behaviour
physical abuse
Domestic violence is unfortunately a reality and more prevalent than we wish to admit. It can happen to anyone in any relationship. It often starts small, escalating slowly until, eventually it becomes out of hand. If you are a victim let us help you.
controlling behaviour
sexual harassment
verbal abuse
emotional abuse
sexual abuse
entry into complainants workplace without consent
psychological abuse
damage to property
elder abuse
entry into complainants residence without consent
spiritual abuse
related person abuse
intimidation
exposing a child to d.v.
economic abuse
What is Domestic Violence?
When there is conduct by a person (abuser) which causes harm, or may cause imminent harm, to the safety health or wellbeing of another person (complainant) with whom the respondent is or was in a domestic relationship with.
Domestic violence is not limited to only physical abuse, it also includes:
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coercive behaviour
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controlling behaviour
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damage to property
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economic abuse
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elder abuse
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emotional abuse
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entry into residence without consent
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entry into workplace without consent
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exposing a child to domestic violence
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harassment
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intimidation
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physical abuse
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psychological abuse
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related person abuse
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sexual abuse
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sexual harassment
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spiritual abuse
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verbal abuse
What is a Domestic Relationship?
A relationship between two people in any of the following ways:
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They are or were married to one another;
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They live or lived together as if they were married, although they never were;
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They are the parents of a child or who have or had parental responsibility for that child;
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They are family members related by :
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consanguinity (blood);
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affinity; or
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adoption.
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They are or were in an engagement, dating or customary relationship, including an actual or perceived romantic, intimate or sexual relationship of any duration; or
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They are persons in a close relationship that share or shared the same residence.
What to do?
If you or any person you know is suffering from domestic violence ("complainant"), you can apply for a protection order.
This means that you can also apply for a protection order on behalf of another person who is suffering from domestic violence.
Simultaneously, if the complainant shares a joint residence with the abuser, the complainant can also apply for a safety monitoring notice.
What is a protection order?
A protection order is issued by the Domestic Violence Court where it is satisfied that domestic violence is being committed. A protection order will prohibit the abuser from doing the following
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commit or attempt to commit domestic violence
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enlisting the help of another to do so
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entering the residence of the complainant
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entering a specified part of a shared residence
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entering the complainant's residence
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entering the complainant's workplace or place of studies
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preventing the complainant from entering or remaining in the shared residence
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disclosing any electronic communication or making available any communication
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committing any other act specified in the order
How does a protection order protect me?
Together with the protection order, the court must make an order, authorising the issue of a warrant of arrest of the abuser. The execution of the warrant is suspended subject to the abuser's compliance with the protection order.
If the abuser has contravened any prohibition or condition contained in the protection order, the complainant may hand the warrant of arrest together with an affidavit wherein the contravention is stated to any member of SAPS.
If it appears to the SAPS member that there are reasonable grounds that the complainant is suffering, or may suffer harm, as a result of the alleged breach of the protection order, the SAPS member must immediately arrest the abuser.
Do you have any questions?
Send us an email here
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