Domestic Violence Act
Proper implementation stressed
The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 is yet to be implemented properly due to lack of awareness, said speakers yesterday.
Only four cases have been filed in the country under the act though it was enacted on October 12, 2010, Advocate Salma Ali told a dialogue with lawmakers on the act held at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city.
Salma, executive director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA), said despite 39 laws relating to prevent women and children repression, the domestic violence act stressed on interim relief to the victims and prevention of domestic violence is also given importance instead of punishment.
The speakers quoting a statistics of World Health Organization said 53 percent women fell victim to domestic violence in urban areas while 62 percent in rural areas of Bangladesh.
Advocate Salma said the act defines domestic violence in rather a unique wayif a family member causes mental, physical, financial or sexual harassment against other children or female members of the family it will be termed as a domestic violence.
Speakers said generally it is noticed that a woman is driven away from her husband house empty handed and even her children are not allowed accompany her oftentimes but the new law will allow her to stay at her husband's residence while fighting legal battle.
A woman will also be allowed to take her children if she likes to leave her husband's house till the court decide the place of supervision for the child/children, they said.
Another unique feature of the act is that the victim is asked to report to concerned women affairs officer who will serve as implementing officer instead of police as per the rule.
Implementing officer will help the victim file complaint to the court.
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