Liberia Adopts New Domestic Violence Bill

President of Liberia George Weah has signed the Domestic Violence Act into law. The new legislation was passed by the Senate last month, following approval from the House of Representatives.

The Act makes domestic violence a serious crime against the individual and society. It includes physical or mental abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.

It also makes it mandatory for healthcare providers, school authorities and social workers to report any suspicions that injuries or death have been caused by domestic violence to law enforcement officials. 

According to UN figures around 35 per cent of Liberian women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence in the last 12 months.