Protection of Women Against Domestic Violence Under Punjab Act 2016*
The Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act 2016 is a special law to protect women from all kinds of violence. This includes domestic violence, psychological abuse, economic abuse, and sexual violence.
Under this Act, violence is not only physical beating but also includes mental torture, threatening, stalking, and stopping a wife from using her property.
*What Relief Can a Woman Get?*
1. *Protection Order:* The court can stop the abuser from committing further violence or contacting the victim.
2. *Residence Order:* The court can order that the wife has the right to stay in the house and the husband cannot throw her out. This is called right of residence.
3. *Monetary Relief:* The court can order the husband to pay maintenance and compensate for damages.
4. *Shelter Home:* The government has established Violence Against Women Centers (VAWC) and shelter homes. A woman can be shifted there for safety.
*How to File Complaint?*
A woman can call the toll-free helpline 1043 or 181. She can also file a complaint directly to the District Women Protection Officer. After complaint, the Protection Officer files a petition in the Family Court. The court has to decide the case within 90 days.
The District Court can also issue a Protection Order within 7 days of complaint in urgent cases.
This Act provides fast and effective justice to women without going through a long police procedure.
