Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

India's Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, assented to on September 13, 2005 and in force from October 26, 2006, gave domestic violence a formal legal definition for the first time in Indian law and extended protection beyond married couples to any woman in a domestic relationship by marriage, blood, adoption, or a shared household. It defines abuse to include physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and economic violence, and, as a civil rather than criminal statute, lets courts issue protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, custody orders, and compensation rather than relying on prosecution alone. It also affirms a woman's right to remain in a shared household regardless of whether she owns or holds legal title to it.