What is considered domestic violence under the law?

Under Section 3 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, domestic violence includes any act or conduct that harms or endangers a woman's physical, mental, emotional, sexual, or economic well-being. It covers

·      physical abuse,

·      sexual abuse,

·      verbal and emotional abuse,

·      economic abuse,

·      threats,

·      intimidation,

·      and harassment,

·      including harassment related to unlawful dowry demands.

A single incident or a pattern of abusive behaviour may amount to domestic violence, depending on the facts of the case.