I face violence or abuse at home
You can get a protection order and keep living in your home. If you are in danger now, call 112.
Violence is not only hitting. Insults, threats, controlling your money, and forcing you out of the house are also domestic violence. The DV Act protects every woman of every religion. A Protection Officer or One Stop Centre can help you file, the first hearing is usually within days, and orders are free.
Your rights
Protection, a place to live, and money
The law says
Any woman, of any religion, facing violence at home can ask a magistrate for a protection order, the right to keep living in the shared home even if it is not in her name, money for expenses and medical costs, and custody of children. Violence includes hitting, insults, threats, sexual abuse and taking away money.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, Sections 17 to 23
The Quran says
أَسْكِنُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ سَكَنتُم مِّن وُجْدِكُمْ وَلَا تُضَآرُّوهُنَّ لِتُضَيِّقُوا۟ عَلَيْهِنَّ
“Lodge them where you dwell out of your means and do not harm them in order to oppress them.”Monthly maintenance from your husband
The law says
A wife, or a divorced wife who has not remarried, who cannot support herself can ask the court for monthly maintenance for herself and her children. There is no upper limit. The Supreme Court said in 2024 (Mohd. Abdul Samad) that this applies to Muslim women too: maintenance is "not charity".
The Quran says
لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍ مِّن سَعَتِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُۥ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ
“Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted, let him spend from what Allah has given him.”What to do, step by step
- 1
Make sure you are safe
If you are in danger, call 112. For help and shelter, call 181 or go to the One Stop Centre in your district.
- 2
Get a free lawyer
Every woman is entitled to free legal aid, whatever her income. Call 15100, apply online, or walk into the legal services office at your district court. Carry your ID and any papers you have.
- 3
Collect your papers
Tick what you have. Your lawyer will also help you prepare the affidavit of your income and expenses that every maintenance case needs.
- 4
Your lawyer files the case
You can file in the court where you live now, even if it is your parents' city. Ask for interim maintenance at the same time.
What to expect
The law asks for the first hearing within 3 days and a decision within 60 days. It can take longer, but the magistrate can pass interim orders quickly.
This is information, not legal advice. For your own case, talk to a free legal aid lawyer: call 15100.