What is a Domestic Relationship?

[Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on domestic violence which some readers may find disturbing.]

In order to seek relief for domestic violence under the law, you need to prove that you have a domestic relationship with the harasser. A domestic relationship means that you are related in any of the following ways with your harasser:

• Related by blood. For example, any relative, like your uncle, your sister, your father, etc.
• Related by marriage. For example, your husband, your sister-in law, your brother-in law, etc.
• Relationship that is similar to the nature of marriage, like your live-in partner.
• Related by adoption. For example, your step-father, your step-brother, etc.
• Related by virtue of living together as a joint family. For example, in a joint family, you can complaint against all members of the family such as your father, brother/sister-in-law, uncle/aunt, grandmother/father etc.

To go to Court, you also have to prove that you and the harasser currently live, or have lived in the past, in a shared household.

Some states provide handbooks for ASHA workers where you can find more information on forms on violence and how to file a complaint to seek protection against domestic violence. For example, see this handbook published for ASHA in Chattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.