Is Threatening To Ruin Survivor’s Career Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse; it includes emotional and psychological abuse that impacts the survivor’s mental health and dignity. Threats aimed at damaging a survivor’s career fall under the scope of emotional abuse and are recognized as domestic violence under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA, 2005). Such threats are intended to intimidate, control, or coerce the survivor, thus warranting legal protection and relief.

Legal Recognition of Career-Related Threats as Domestic Violence

Definition of Domestic Violence under PWDVA

Section 3 of the PWDVA defines domestic violence broadly, including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse.

Threats to ruin the survivor’s career are considered emotional abuse and mental cruelty within this definition.

Psychological and Emotional Abuse

Threatening to sabotage the survivor’s employment, professional reputation, or job security is a form of psychological violence.

Such acts aim to cause fear, anxiety, and loss of self-esteem, affecting the survivor’s autonomy.

Legal Remedies Available

Survivors can file complaints under the PWDVA for protection orders to restrain the abuser from making such threats.

The court can grant injunctions preventing the abuser from communicating threats or harassment related to the survivor’s career.

Monetary relief, compensation, and counseling may also be provided to address emotional harm.

Workplace and Cyber Harassment

If threats occur at the workplace or through electronic means (emails, social media), additional legal provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Information Technology Act may apply.

The survivor can seek protection against harassment, defamation, or cyberstalking as related offenses.

Practical Steps for Survivors

Document any threats made verbally, in writing, or electronically.

Report the abuse to Protection Officers or women’s helplines.

File an application for a protection order under PWDVA.

Seek police assistance if threats escalate to criminal intimidation or harassment.

Consider counseling or support groups for emotional recovery.

Example

A survivor’s partner threatens to spread false rumors at her workplace to get her fired.

Steps Taken:

The survivor records the threat messages and reports the abuse to the Protection Officer.

A protection order is filed in court seeking injunction against further threats or defamatory actions.

The court issues an order restraining the abuser from contacting the survivor’s workplace or making career-related threats.

The survivor is provided counseling support and legal aid for further protection.

If necessary, criminal complaints for defamation or intimidation are filed under IPC provisions.