What is a Personal Protection Order (PPO)?
A Personal Protection Order is a court order issued under the Women’s Charter 1961 to protect victims of family violence. It aims to prevent further acts of violence or harassment and provides legal protection to the victim.
Who Can Apply for a PPO?
Any person who is subjected to family violence by a family member (spouse, ex-spouse, child, parent, or other family members) can apply for a PPO.
What is considered family violence?
The definition of family violence can be found in section 64 of the Women’s Charter. “Family violence” means the commission of any of the following acts:
- Wilfully or knowingly placing, or attempting to place, a family member in fear of hurt;
- Causing hurt to a family member by such act which is known or ought to have been known would result in hurt;
- Wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against his will; or
- Causing continual harassment with intent to cause or knowing that it is likely to cause anguish to a family member.
However, family violence does not include any force lawfully used in self-defence or by way of correction towards a child below 21 years old.
To prove family violence, it would be useful if you have objective evidence such as a medical report or police report. Witness statements in the form of Affidavits of Evidence-in-Chief may also be relevant to support your case that family violence had been committed or was likely to be committed such that a PPO is necessary.
As seen from the definition of family violence above, it should be noted that at this juncture, only physical violence or the threat of physical violence can be mitigated by a PPO.
