Protection Order Singapore: Top 5 Things You Need to Know

Protection order is a legal document that offers protection to victims of harassment, stalking, and other forms of domestic violence. In Singapore, protection orders are issued under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA).

Here are the top 5 things you need to know about protection orders in Singapore:

1. Who can apply for a protection order?

Anyone who is 18 years old or above and has been subjected to harassment, stalking, or other forms of domestic violence can apply for a protection order.

2. What are the grounds for applying for a protection order?

The grounds for applying for a protection order include:

• Harassment: This includes repeated, unwanted communication, such as phone calls, text messages, emails, or letters. It can also include following or watching the victim, or causing the victim to feel threatened or harassed.
• Stalking: This involves following or watching the victim, or repeatedly communicating with the victim, in a way that causes the victim to feel threatened or harassed.
• Domestic violence: This includes any physical, sexual, or emotional abuse that occurs between intimate partners, such as spouses, ex-spouses, or dating partners.

3. How to apply for a protection order?

To apply for a protection order, you need to file an application with the Family Court. The application must include:

• A statement of the facts that support your claim for a protection order.
• Evidence of the harassment, stalking, or domestic violence, such as text messages, emails, or police reports.
• A statement of how the harassment, stalking, or domestic violence has affected you.

4. What are the contents of a protection order?

A protection order can contain a variety of provisions, depending on the circumstances of the case. These provisions may include:

• Restraining orders: These orders prohibit the respondent from contacting, approaching, or going near the victim.
• Exclusion orders: These orders prohibit the respondent from entering the victim's home, workplace, or other specified places.
• Occupation orders: These orders regulate who can occupy the victim's home or other specified places.
• Communication orders: These orders prohibit the respondent from sending or receiving any form of communication with the victim.

5. How long does a protection order last?

A protection order can last for up to 2 years. The court may extend the order for a further 2 years if the victim is still at risk of harassment, stalking, or domestic violence.

Tips and Tricks for Applying for a Protection Order

Here are some tips and tricks for applying for a protection order:

• Gather evidence: The more evidence you have to support your claim, the more likely you are to be granted a protection order. Keep a record of all communication, such as text messages, emails, and phone calls, from the respondent. You should also document any incidents of harassment, stalking, or domestic violence, including the dates, times, and locations.
• Be prepared to testify: If your application for a protection order is granted, you will need to testify in court. Be prepared to answer questions about the harassment, stalking, or domestic violence that you have experienced.
• Seek legal advice: If you are not sure how to apply for a protection order, or if you have any questions about the process, you should seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you to prepare your application and represent you in court.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when applying for a protection order:

• Failing to provide sufficient evidence: The court will not grant a protection order without sufficient evidence to support your claim. Make sure to gather as much evidence as possible, including communication from the respondent and documentation of any incidents of harassment, stalking, or domestic violence.
• Not being prepared to testify: If you are not prepared to testify in court, the judge may not grant you a protection order. Be ready to answer questions about the harassment, stalking, or domestic violence that you have experienced.
• Not seeking legal advice: If you are not sure how to apply for a protection order, or if you have any questions about the process, you should seek legal advice. A lawyer can help you to prepare your application and represent you in court.

Pros and Cons of Protection Orders

Pros of protection orders:

• Protection from further harassment: A protection order can provide you with protection from further harassment, stalking, or domestic violence.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that you have a protection order in place can give you peace of mind and help you to feel safe.
• Enforcement: The police can enforce protection orders. If the respondent violates a protection order, they may be arrested and charged with a crime.

Cons of protection orders:

• May not be effective: Protection orders may not be effective in all cases. The respondent may continue to harass or stalk you, even if there is a protection order in place.
• May be difficult to obtain: It can be difficult to obtain a protection order, especially if you do not have a lot of evidence to support your claim.
• May be costly: Applying for a protection order can be costly, especially if you need to hire a lawyer to represent you.

Conclusion

Protection orders can be a valuable tool for victims of harassment, stalking, or domestic violence. They can provide protection from further harassment, peace of mind, and enforcement by the police. However, it is important to remember that protection orders may not be effective in all cases and can be difficult to obtain. If you are considering applying for a protection order, you should seek legal advice.

Additional Resources

• Protection from Harassment Act
• Applying for a Protection Order
• Enforcement of Protection Orders
• Legal Aid Bureau

Tables

Table 1: Number of Protection Orders Issued in Singapore

Table 2: Reasons for Applying for a Protection Order

Table 3: Types of Protection Orders Issued

Table 4: Length of Protection Orders Issued