A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is an order warning one’s spouse that he/she is not to commit family violence against his/her spouse and/or children.
Who can apply for the order?
Under Section 64 and 65 of the Women’s Charter, the following persons can apply for the order:
- a spouse or former spouse of the person
- a child of the person, including an adopted child and a step-child
- a father or mother of the person
- a father-in-law or mother-in-law of the person
- a brother or sister of the person
- any other relative of the person or an incapacitated person who in the opinion of the court should, in the circumstances, in either case be regarded as a member of the family of the person
Under what circumstances will the court issue the order?
Courts will only issue the order if it is satisfied that the person:
- Willingly and knowingly places or attempts to place a family member in fear of hurt
- Caused hurt to a family member when he/she knew or ought to know that such an act would result in hurt
- Wrongfully confines or restrains a family member against his/her will
- Causes continual harassment with the intention to cause and knows that his/her act will cause anguish to the family member.
What are the consequences of breaching this order?
Should the spouse ignore the order and persist with his/her abusive behavior, his/her repeated acts or threats of violence will be in breach of the order. Consequently, he will be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on a conviction to a fine not exceeding S$2,000 or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or to both.
Re-offenders will be liable to a fine not exceeding S$5,000 or to an imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.
For more information contact Singapore divorce or family lawyer Raphael Louis (Ray) or visit his website.