The Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, (PADVL) 2007 came into the existence on the 18th May 2007. It is basically to prevent domestic violence as it may occur in domestic relationships.
In other words, The Protection Against Domestic Violence Law, aims to safeguard individuals in domestic relationships and prevent domestic violence, including cases where there is a threat of harm.
Let’s examine the term itself, “Domestic Violence.” What does it mean in clear terms?
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence, also referred to as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, has been defined by the United Nations as a pattern of behaviour in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviours that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. It can occur within a range of relationships, including couples who are married, living together or dating.
Amongst the many laws that kick against domestic violence in Nigeria, the Lagos State Protection Against Domestic Violence Law is a significant one because of its detailed provisions against the social menace – domestic violence. Its provisions cover men, women, and children, and also relationships between married and unmarried couples.
The law was passed in 2007 and expressly provides in Section 1 that no person shall commit an act of domestic violence against another person.
Provisions Of the Law On Various Domestic Relationships
An important part of the law which provides for the types of relationships where domestic violence could occur are as follows:
The interpretation section of the law defines “domestic relationship” to include a relationship between the complainant and the respondent in any of the following ways:
- Where parties are married to each other, including marriage according to any law, custom or religion
- Where parties live or lived together in a relationship in the nature of marriage; although they are not, or were not married to each other, or are not able to be married to each other
- Where parties are the parents of a child or are persons who have or had parental responsibility for a child (whether or not at the same time)
- Where parties are family members related by consanguinity, affinity or adoption
- Where parties are or were in an engagement, dating or customary relationship, including actual or perceived romantic, intimate or sexual relationship of any duration
- Where parties share or recently shared the same residence, including housemaids, domestic servants or staff, house keepers, etc.
The provision of the PADVL in describing the various relationships and situations where domestic violence can take place is a valuable contribution to the jurisprudence of domestic violence in Nigeria, as it has not only broadened the scope where domestic violence laws are applicable but has also sought to regulate domestic relationships which have hitherto been open to this menace.
Reference
United Nations, What is Domestic Abuse?, https://www.un.org/en/coronavirus/what-is-domestic-abuse
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