Domestic abuse interdict

An interdict is a court order that tells someone not to do something. If you have, or are applying for, an interdict you can ask a court to make this a domestic abuse interdict. The court may do this if the order is to protect you against someone who is, or was:

• your husband or wife
• your civil partner
• living with you as if you were married
• in a relationship with you

If a power of arrest is attached to a domestic abuse interdict, breaking the terms of the interdict is a criminal offence. You should report this to the police straight away. Someone who breaks the order can be arrested and could go to jail, be given a fine or both.