Personal Protection Order (PPO)

Are you a victim of spousal abuse?

No one ought to ever have to suffer in silence. If your safety is in danger, contact the police for assistance at 999.

Meanwhile, we can also assist by taking action to protect your well-being, such as obtaining Personal Protection Orders against an abusive family member.

For emergency assistance, please contact us at +65 9776 5796

What is a PPO?

A PPO is an order given by the family court in Singapore. Its purpose is to protect a spouse suffering from family violence.

Family violence is defined under section 64 of the Women’s Charter (Chapter 353) as:

• wilfully or knowingly placing, or attempting to place, a family member in fear or hurt;
• causing hurt to a family member by such act which is known or ought to have been known would result in hurt;
• wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against his will; or
• causing continual harassment with intent to cause or knowing that it is likely to cause anguish to a family member.

Is family violence only deemed as physical violence?

No, it can also be psychological abuse such as intimidation, threatening behaviour, harassment, mocking, controlling, confining, or restricting a person from free movement. The list is not exhaustive.

How do you apply for a PPO?

Your lawyer will apply to the family court to prevent further instances of family violence. If the court finds that on the balance of probability that family violence has been committed or is likely to be committed, they will make an order to protect the complainant.

What happens if the order is breached?

If the order is breached, you can report the matter to the police. If the police have sufficient evidence, the offender can be arrested and charged with the offence.