Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act, Pakistan

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence Against Women (Prevention and Protection) Act provides for the prevention of domestic violence against women to protect them from sexual abuse, psychological abuse, economic abuse and stalking. It cites the Pakistan constitution, which guarantees general equality and empowers the state to make any special provision for the protection of women. The Act provides that no person shall commit, aid and abet the commission of the act of domestic violence. Any person who commits such an act shall be liable to imprisonment of up to five years and a fine. It constitutes a District Protection Committee for each district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which are tasked to:

• Spread awareness at the grassroot levels of the rights provided in the Act.
• Assist the complainant in obtaining medical treatment needed due to domestic violence.
• Assist the complainant in relocating to a safer place.
• Keep official records in relation to incidents of domestic violence. 

In addition to the complainant or her guardian, the Secretary of the District Protection Committee is empowered to file an application to the court for relief under the Act. Domestic violence is defined under the Act as violence committed by a complainee against the complainant with whom the complainee is in a domestic relationship. Domestic relationship means a relationship by consanguinity, marriage, kinship, affinity or other family relationship. The Act applies to the whole province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.