- A Personal Protection Order protects you from family violence by a family member.
- Since 2 January 2025, family violence includes sexual abuse and emotional or psychological abuse, not only physical harm.
- An Expedited Order can give temporary protection while your application is heard.
- People aged 18 and above can now apply on their own.
What a Personal Protection Order is
A Personal Protection Order (PPO) is an order of the Family Justice Courts under the Women's Charter that restrains a family member from committing family violence against you. It can be sought against family members such as a spouse or former spouse, a parent, a child or a sibling. Harassment by someone outside the family is dealt with under a different law, the Protection from Harassment Act.
To obtain a PPO, you must show that family violence has been, or is likely to be, committed against a family member, and that the order is necessary for their protection.
What counts as family violence
Changes to the Women's Charter that took effect on 2 January 2025 widened the definition. Family violence now covers:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse, including coercing or trying to coerce someone into sexual activity
- emotional or psychological abuse, such as conduct that torments, intimidates or distresses someone or causes them mental harm
- continual harassment
Controlling or isolating behaviour, demeaning a spouse in front of the children and threats to cut off money can amount to emotional abuse. The conduct also counts where a family member perceives it, for example a child who witnesses abuse. Courts look for a pattern of conduct rather than an isolated argument, so keep a record of what happened.
Temporary protection while you wait
While a PPO application is pending, the court can grant an Expedited Order for immediate protection. Since the 2025 changes, the court only needs to be satisfied that there is a danger of family violence; the danger no longer has to be imminent.
Who can apply
Anyone aged 18 or over can now apply for themselves. For a child or young person under 18, a parent, guardian or other appointed person applies on their behalf.
The 2025 changes also introduced further measures, including stay-away and no-contact orders and tougher penalties for breaching an order.
Protection and money
A PPO stops the abusive conduct but does not provide financial support. Where a spouse has withheld money, it may also be worth applying for maintenance.
This article is general information on Singapore law and is not legal advice. Rules and agency policies change, and every situation is different. For advice on your own circumstances, speak with one of our lawyers.
All divorce & family guides
