Family violence is a difficult and often frightening experience, and Singapore law gives people who are being harmed by a family member several ways to seek protection. This guide explains what counts as family violence, who can apply for a court order, the four types of protection orders available, how the application works, and where to find help. It is general information, not legal advice, and it is written to help you understand your options and take the next step safely.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call the Police at 999 now. You do not need to wait for a court order to get help in an emergency. For non-emergency support and advice, the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) is available around the clock on 1800 777 0000. Reaching out is not an overreaction. These services exist precisely so that you do not have to face violence alone.

What counts as family violence in Singapore

Family violence is defined in Part 7 of the Women’s Charter 1961 (sections 64 to 66). Despite the name of the Act, this protection is available to both men and women. The definition was broadened by the Women’s Charter (Family Violence and Other Matters) (Amendment) Act 2023, which modernised the law and made clear that violence is not only physical.

Broadly, family violence includes any of the following committed against a family member:

  • Wilfully or knowingly placing, or attempting to place, a family member in fear of hurt.
  • Causing hurt to a family member by an act which is known or ought to have been known would result in hurt.
  • Wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against their will.
  • Causing continual harassment with intent to cause, or knowing that it is likely to cause, anguish to a family member.

The reforms strengthened the way the law recognises abuse that is emotional and psychological rather than only physical: patterns of behaviour such as intimidation, threats, and controlling or coercive conduct can fall within the scope of harassment and fear of hurt. Importantly, lawful correction of a child by a parent is treated differently and is not, in itself, family violence. If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing counts, that is a good reason to speak to a Family Violence Specialist Centre or call the NAVH helpline. You do not have to work it out alone.

In practice, family violence can take many forms, and it is common for more than one to appear together. Some examples of behaviour that may amount to family violence include:

  • Hitting, pushing, slapping, or any physical assault that causes hurt.
  • Threats to hurt you, your children, or others, or threats to harm themselves to control you.
  • Locking you in or out of the home, or otherwise confining or restraining you.
  • Persistent harassment, monitoring, or intimidation that causes you anguish.

You are the best judge of whether you feel unsafe. If a family member’s conduct is making you fearful, it is worth finding out what protection is available even if you are not sure it fits a neat category.

Who can apply for protection

Protection orders are meant for violence within a family relationship. The Women’s Charter defines a “family member” broadly, and it includes people such as:

  • A spouse or former spouse.
  • A child, including an adopted or step-child.
  • A parent or parent-in-law.
  • A sibling.
  • Other relatives, or a person the court regards as a member of the family in the circumstances.

An adult can apply for themselves. Where the person needing protection is a child (under 21), an incapacitated person, or someone otherwise unable to apply on their own, a suitable person (such as a guardian, relative, or an appointed protector) can apply on their behalf. If your situation is between people who are dating but not related and not living as family, family violence protection may not apply, and a different remedy under harassment law may be more appropriate; a helpline or the court’s help desk can point you in the right direction.

The four types of protection orders

The Family Justice Courts can make several kinds of orders under Part 7. Each does a different job, and more than one can apply at the same time.

Personal Protection Order (PPO)

A PPO is the main order. It restrains the person named (the respondent) from using family violence against you or another family member. Breaching a PPO is a criminal offence, which gives the order real force. If you want the step-by-step detail, see our guide on how to apply for a Personal Protection Order.

Expedited Order (EO)

An EO is an urgent, temporary order the court can grant quickly, before a full hearing, where there appears to be an imminent danger of family violence. It provides interim protection while the PPO application is being decided, and it typically lasts for a limited period until the matter is heard.

Domestic Exclusion Order (DEO)

A DEO deals with the shared home. It can exclude the respondent from the shared residence, or from part of it, regardless of who owns or rents the property. This can allow a person and their children to remain safely in the home rather than having to leave.

Counselling Order (COU)

The court can order the parties, and sometimes the wider family, to attend counselling or a programme aimed at addressing the violence and its effects. A counselling order can be made alongside a PPO and is part of how the system tries to break the cycle of abuse, not just contain it.

How the application process works

Applications for protection orders are made to the Family Justice Courts through Protection Order Services. In outline, the process usually runs like this:

  1. You file a complaint setting out what happened, giving details of the incidents and the person you are seeking protection from.
  2. If there is imminent danger, you can ask for an Expedited Order at the same time so that interim protection can be put in place quickly.
  3. The court fixes a first appearance (often called a mention). The respondent is notified and given the chance to respond.
  4. If the respondent consents, an order can be made by agreement. If it is contested, the court fixes a hearing where both sides give their evidence.
  5. The court decides whether family violence has been committed or is likely to be committed and whether an order is necessary for protection, then makes the appropriate orders.

Filing a protection order complaint is designed to be accessible and inexpensive, and you can apply without a lawyer. Court staff and duty officers can help you understand the forms and the steps. For current fees, forms, and the online options available, always rely on the Family Justice Courts as the authoritative source.

Evidence that helps your application

The court decides on the evidence before it, so it helps to gather what you can, safely, and only where it is safe to do so. Useful evidence often includes:

  • Dates, times, and a description of each incident, kept in a simple diary or notes.
  • Medical reports or memos if you sought treatment for injuries.
  • Photographs of injuries or damage.
  • Police reports and reference numbers.
  • Messages, voice notes, or other records showing threats or harassment.
  • Names and contact details of anyone who witnessed the violence.

You do not need a perfect file of evidence to start. Your own account is itself evidence, and the court understands that violence at home is often unwitnessed. Never put yourself at risk to collect proof.

What happens after an order is granted, and if it is breached

Once an order is made, keep a copy with you and give copies to people who may need them, such as a trusted family member. If a Domestic Exclusion Order or counselling order is made, the court will explain what each party must do and by when.

Breaching a PPO is a criminal offence. If the respondent breaches the order (for example, by using violence again despite the order), you can make a police report, and the police can act on the breach. Because a breach is an arrestable matter, this is one of the key reasons a court order carries more weight than an informal promise to stop. Orders can also be varied or revoked later if circumstances change, and either party can apply to the court to do so.

The police and the courts: two separate routes

It helps to understand that there are two related but separate routes to safety, and you can use both. The first is the criminal justice route: if a crime such as assault has been committed, you can make a police report, and the police can investigate. In an emergency you should always call 999 first. A court order does not replace emergency help.

The second is the protection order route through the Family Justice Courts, which is designed to prevent future violence rather than to punish a past offence. A PPO and its related orders are civil orders aimed at keeping you safe going forward, although breaching one then becomes a criminal matter. Many people use both routes together, reporting incidents to the police while also applying for a protection order. Support workers at a Family Violence Specialist Centre can help you decide which steps make sense for your situation.

How family violence interacts with divorce

A protection order and a divorce are separate legal processes, but they often overlap in practice. You can apply for a PPO whether or not you intend to divorce, and getting protection first can make it safer to think about your next steps. Where a marriage has broken down because of violence, the abuse can also be relevant to the divorce itself, for instance as evidence of unreasonable behaviour, and in decisions about the children. We explain this in detail in our guide on how family violence affects divorce proceedings.

If you are at the start of thinking about ending your marriage, our overview of divorce in Singapore sets out how the process works from filing to final judgment. Muslim marriages are handled separately by the Syariah Court for the divorce itself, although protection orders under the Women’s Charter are still available through the Family Justice Courts.

Where to get help

You do not have to navigate this by yourself. In an emergency, call the Police at 999. For advice, safety planning, and support, call the NAVH helpline on 1800 777 0000, which operates 24 hours a day. Family Violence Specialist Centres and Family Service Centres across Singapore can help with safety plans, temporary shelter, counselling, and guiding you through a protection order application.

If you are also facing the end of a marriage, Divorce Support Specialist Agencies (DSSAs) and other services offer counselling and practical help; see our guide to divorce support services in Singapore. Whether your next step is a phone call, a visit to a Family Service Centre, or an application to the court, reaching out is a sign of strength, and there are people whose job it is to help you stay safe.

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