Features and Impact of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005? Give your views.

The hallmark of any matured and civilized society is Gender Justice. In this context Domestic violence Act, 2005 has enlarged the sphere of protection given to women in their domestic relationship. The main features of this Act makes for penal provision for all the acts of commonly understood violence within the four confines of the home. The Act covers even verbal abuse and threat under the definition of violence, so physical and actual violence is not required to be proved by women comp taint. Post this legal provision, women feels in way 'empowered' to fight against any sort of 'Slave Treatment' mated to them. Relationship required by this act can be of marital or other nature. Even in live-in partners, brother-sister and paternal relationships are covered under this act.

The act shifts the onus to prove innocence on the part of the perpetrator of violence. The person who is convicted under this act may be imprisoned. Even during imprisonment, he may be obliged to provide shelter and food to the dependent woman. Persons may be prevented from entering into certain limits of area where the victim resides so that the safety of victim can be effectively ensured. Coupled with this, there are also provisions in this Act to make the investigating agencies trained in the gender sensitization programmes. There will be women-cell in police station. It is inbuilt into the Act that Mensrea is given significance thus it acts as a strong deterrent.

All these provisions will actually reduce and gradually eliminate domestic violence. But remedy lies in creating proper awareness and social concession apart from ensuring strict implementation of provisions of the Act. The Act has certainly brought in the changes to the attitude of the males to the some extent towards their female counterpart of the family.

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