If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in India, immediate safety and lawful action are paramount. Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005, every woman has the legal right to reside in a violence-free shared household and obtain emergency protection orders, financial relief, and medical aid.
If you are in immediate physical danger, contact official government emergency helplines immediately:\n• Emergency Response Support System: Dial 112\n• National Commission for Women (NCW) 24x7 Helpline: Dial 7827170170 or 14490\n• Women Helpline (Ministry of WCD): Dial 181
Under PWDVA 2005, the Judicial Magistrate Court can pass binding orders:\n• Protection Orders (Sec 18)\n• Residence Orders (Sec 19)\n• Monetary Relief (Sec 20)\n• Custody Orders (Sec 21)
Yes. PWDVA 2005 covers women in relationships in the nature of marriage (live-in relationships), as well as mothers, sisters, and daughters in a shared household.
Filing a PWDVA application through a Protection Officer or DLSA is completely free of charge for aggrieved women.