<h1>Service Providers under Domestic Violence Act</h1>

In the previous post, the procedure involved in the adjudication of Domestic Violence case before the Magistrate was stated.

Now, it's time to address the various service providers who can involve themselves voluntarily in the aid of the affected woman.

Who are all service providers?

Any voluntary association shall be a service providers. And such voluntary organisation must be either registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or it must be a company registered under Companies Act or in accordance with any other law for time being in force.

Every voluntary organisation must register themselves with appropriate State Government as a service provider.

Difference between Service Providers and Protection Officer

One of the primary distinguishable difference between the both are the mode of appointment. While a Protection Officer is appointed by the concerned state government for each district, the service providers on the other hand, is a voluntary association, out of it's own interest, who provide service to the affected woman under domestic violence. 

Even though service provider being a voluntary organisation, it's at par with Protection Officer on some part.

Service rendered by the authorized Service Providers

• The primary object is to protect the rights and interest of the woman by lawful means.
• To provide include legal aid, medical, financial or other assistance to a woman who suffer from Domestic Violence or threats.
• Each service provider shall have the power to record the Domestic Incident Report and forward the copies to the Magistrate and the Protection Officer.
• To perform medical examination of the affected woman and send a copy of Medical Report to the Magistrate, the Protection Officer and the Police Station.
• To provide shelter to the aggrieved woman if she request so and forward a Report of Lodging to the Police Station.

Immunity to Service Provides

As the voluntary association which come forward to help the aggrieved woman, it shall be given such protection under the statute in order to avoid unnecessary pressure. Normally, such association are feel the heat of the respondents involved in the dispute. So to insulate such association from the warmth section  10(3) provide protection to the service providers.

The immunity not only extends to voluntary association but also to the members of that organisation. The immunity, thus, provided extend only to the acts done in good faith, in exercise of powers, functions under the Domestic Violence Act.

For any corrections or mistakes in the blog contact me.

Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only. All information provided here are only informative. The authors takes no liability for any injury to the readers.