Mauritius to overhaul domestic violence law within a month, minister announces

She stated that domestic violence is a crime, not a private matter. Amendments to the Penal Code will also be introduced to address femicide, which will be considered a human rights crisis in Mauritius rather than isolated acts. From January 2025 to date, 10 cases of women killed and 6,478 cases of assault related to domestic violence have been recorded.

Of the 10 femicides, 7 victims had previously reported threats, harassment, or violence to authorities, with these cases currently under investigation. The new bill will significantly broaden the definition of domestic violence to include intimate partners not living together and various forms of abuse: physical, sexual, psychological, and financial, recognizing economic control as a form of violence. Another major change is mandatory reporting, requiring professionals such as teachers, doctors, and social workers to legally report suspected cases.

The text also introduces emergency measures, allowing police to issue Protection Notices outside business hours to immediately secure victims without waiting for a judicial decision. Authorities also aim to simplify access to justice, enable victims to file complaints at any police station, and allow officers to accompany victims home to safely retrieve personal belongings. The bill also i