aameghDomestic violence: understand protection and support
Learn what the Domestic Violence Act covers, what protection and residence orders mean, and how to find legal aid and support without posting your situation publicly.
- About
- Aamegh guide with named source links
- Updated
- 13 September 2026
- Reading time
- 5 minute guide
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Domestic violence can involve more than physical injury
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 addresses violence against women in a domestic relationship. Section 3 includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and economic abuse. The definitions and circumstances matter; a qualified adviser can help explain how they apply.
- Economic abuse can include deprivation of necessary financial resources.
- The Act uses a defined “domestic relationship”; it is not limited to a current marriage.
- If there is immediate danger, use official 112 before spending time reading a guide.
Understand the types of relief you can ask about
A Magistrate can consider an application for relief under this Act. Protection orders address further abuse; residence orders concern the shared household. Other provisions cover monetary relief, temporary child custody, compensation and interim orders. A residence right does not by itself give ownership of a property.
- Ask about sections 17–19 for shared-household and protection questions.
- Ask about sections 20–23 for financial, custody, compensation or interim relief.
- These are possible legal remedies, not automatic outcomes.
Find support for the process
A Protection Officer, a service provider under the Act or a legal-services institution can help you understand the next step. NALSA states that women are eligible to apply for free legal aid irrespective of income under section 12(c) of the Legal Services Authorities Act. The authority assesses the request through its process.
- Contact NALSA on 15100 or the relevant District Legal Services Authority.
- Use the organisation’s own contact route to ask about service area, hours and confidentiality.
- An NGO website reference is not confirmation that it is a registered service provider under the Domestic Violence Act.
Keep your questions and records private
If it is appropriate for you to keep records, preserve originals and note relevant dates separately. Ask the recipient how to share material securely. An online guide cannot decide whether you should leave a home, confront someone or take a particular legal step.
- Ask what documents are needed before sending them.
- Discuss device access and privacy if someone else can read your phone.
- Use the separate IPC and BNS guide to understand criminal-law references; the Domestic Violence Act provides a different legal pathway.
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