Protection from domestic violence

The three orders, plainly

The Domestic Violence Act 1994 protects spouses, former spouses, children and family household members. An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) can be issued by a social welfare officer — without a police report and without the abuser present — typically within hours, lasting seven days. An Interim Protection Order (IPO) is granted by a magistrate once a police investigation is underway and lasts until the investigation or prosecution concludes. A Protection Order (PO) follows on conviction-track proceedings and can exclude the abuser from the home, bar contact and approach, and cover the children.

What we actually do

We accompany you through the police report, coordinate with the welfare office, prepare the application and affidavits the same week, and appear with you before the magistrate. Where needed we pair protection with urgent interim custody and maintenance applications so that safety does not cost you the children or the household income.

Evidence, gently

Photographs, medical reports, messages, a dated note of incidents — whatever you can safely keep helps. Do not put yourself at risk to collect anything. Patterns count as well as injuries: the Act covers psychological abuse, threats, stalking-type conduct and financial control exercised through fear.

Discretion and logistics

We schedule protection consultations at times and by channels you choose, billing communications can be routed safely, and this page has a quick-exit button that immediately leaves the site. If reaching a lawyer’s office is itself unsafe, say so — we will work around it.

Consultations at times and places you choose — safety shapes the logistics, not the other way around.

How it runs

Safety check

Immediate danger → 999 / Talian Kasih 15999. Then we plan around your safety, not our diary.

Report & EPO/IPO

Police report, welfare office coordination, urgent application — typically days, not weeks.

Stabilise

Interim custody, maintenance and occupation of the home where needed.

Long-term order

A full PO with the conditions that actually protect — and enforcement if it is breached.

What it costs

Matter	Professional fee	Typical duration
Urgent interim protection order (DVA 1994) assistance	from RM3,500	days, not months
Protection order application (DVA 1994)	from RM5,000	1–3 months

Plus disbursements and 8% SST — itemised in writing before we start. Full list on the fees page.

Asked in this room, often

Do I need a police report first?

For an IPO, yes — it follows a report and investigation. An EPO from a welfare officer does not require one. If reporting feels unsafe, come to us first and we will plan the sequence with you.

Does the Act cover psychological and financial abuse?

Yes. Since the 2017 amendments the Act expressly covers psychological abuse and conduct such as threats and communication that causes distress — not only physical harm.

Can he be removed from the house we both own?

A protection order can grant you exclusive occupation of the shared residence regardless of whose name is on the title, where the court considers it necessary.

What if the order is breached?

Breach of a protection order is a criminal offence — police can arrest. Keep the order with you, lodge a report immediately, and tell us the same day.