$1-million fine under new Domestic Violence Act

The Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, 2023, which will provide greater protection to victims of domestic violence, is to come into effect next Monday.

Gender Minister Olivia Grange made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

She said that the amendments will, among other things, “allow the court to issue protection orders and impose a penalty of up to $1 million for a breach of a protection order, up from a maximum of $10,000; and a sentence of up to one year in prison.”

She noted that the protection orders are intended to guard against an array of potential harm, from harassment to property damage. Grange opined that “it is right with the passage of time that we now apply a more appropriate penalty that will serve as a deterrent to this very serious crime”.

The new law will also increase the categories of persons who can make an application for a protection order. The children’s advocate will also now be able to apply for a protection order where the alleged conduct is threatened against a child.

“Additionally, the amended legislation will allow the minister for gender affairs to flexibly amend monetary penalties. Let the word go from here that we are serious about dealing with domestic abuse. A new day has come for protecting victims and increasing the punishment for perpetrators of domestic abuse,” Grange stated.

“We continue to improve our services to victims, punish perpetrators and review our laws to create effective deterrents to would-be perpetrators. In this regard, I look forward to the deliberations of the Joint Select Committee that will review the Domestic Violence Act towards strengthening the protection of victims and dealing appropriately with perpetrators,” Grange said.

Persons experiencing domestic violence can call the helpline numbers, 876-553-0372 and 876-236-1713 for women, and 876-553-0387 for men.