afrol News, 23 July - The Swaziland cabinet has endorsed a harsh law imposing fine of E50, 000 ($6, 500) for persons convicted of perpetrating domestic violence.

The proposed legislation, Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Bill of 2009 which is yet to be tabled in parliament, further says should the convict fail to pay the fine, they should faces up to 10 years in jail.

The Bill lists offences of domestic violence as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, economical abuse, intimidation, harassment, stalking, damage to property and entering somebody’s residence without his or her consent.

It also defines economic abuse as depriving ‘someone you are involved with in a domestic relationship’ with economic and financial resources which that individual is entitled to or needs out of necessity.

It further includes refusing a spouse permission to work or engage in activities that will generate income for herself as an abuse.

The Bill also includes harassment, beatings and inflicting fear of harm as other forms of abuse that will be harshly punished by the proposed law in the Southern African Kingdom.

According to the proposed law, for a couple to be described as having a ‘domestic relationship’, they do not necessarily have to be married, or just in a non commital relationship.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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