Domestic Violence Act, 2007
A landmark Act criminalising domestic violence in Sierra Leone and providing protection and remedies for victims.
Summary
The Domestic Violence Act, 2007 is one of Sierra Leone's three 2007 'gender justice' laws. It criminalises domestic violence and provides protection and remedies for victims, recognising violence within the home and family as a serious offence rather than a private matter.
The Act defines domestic violence broadly to include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse between persons in a domestic relationship. It creates the offence of domestic violence and provides for protection orders to restrain abusers, for the duties of police and the courts, and for the support and safety of victims.
It gives survivors clear legal avenues for protection and redress and places obligations on the authorities to respond to domestic violence.
Main provisions
- Defines domestic violence to include physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse.
- Creates the offence of domestic violence, with penalties.
- Provides for protection orders to restrain abusers.
- Sets out the duties of the police and the courts in responding to domestic violence.
- Provides for the support, safety and redress of victims.