Elements of domestic violence
Section 1 of the Act indicates that Domestic violence means engaging in the following within the context of a previous or existing domestic relationship: an act under the Criminal Code, 1960 (Act 29) which constitutes physical abuse, sexual abuse, economic abuse, and emotional, verbal or psychological abuse and … is likely to detract from another person’s dignity and worth as a human being.
Though these elements of domestic violence are relevant there are others that should also be considered due to its frequent occurrence in domestic relationship; namely: discriminatory abuse (unequal treatment, denying basic rights to healthcare, education particularly in domestic settings where the victim is not the biological child of the respondent), neglect and acts of omission (especially parents neglecting the welfare of children), exploitation of a member(s) in a domestic relationship, abandonment (especially a spouse deserting the home) and social abuse (acts of controlling behaviours).