President Danny Faure has today assented to the Domestic Violence Act which was passed by the National Assembly on 26 May 2020. 

The Domestic Violence Act prohibits acts of violence in the domestic context, whether caused through emotional, verbal, physical, sexual, economic or psychological abuse as defined by law.  It also provides for the protection of victims of domestic violence and for penalties for the perpetrators.

Legislative work on the Domestic Violence Bill has been in preparation for several years.  The Ministry of Family Affairs sought the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat in hiring a Consultant to review and finalise the Bill, taking into consideration the comments and suggestions received by stakeholders.