Her Rights: What is a Domestic Incident Report (DIR)?

bembalawr
Sep 27
3 min read

A Simple Guide for Survivors

When violence enters your home, it shatters the very place meant to keep you safe. Knowing your rights is the first step to reclaiming that safety.

Nobody should have to live with violence. Experiencing abuse at home can feel terrifying, and the legal process may seem overwhelming when you decide to seek help.

Through our Her rights series, we aim to explain the legal tools available to survivors in clear, simple terms. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the Domestic Incident Report (DIR) – what it is, who can file it, and why it matters.

What is a DIR in Simple Terms?

Think of a DIR as the official starting document for a domestic violence case in court.

Just as an FIR (First Information Report) begins a criminal case, a DIR is the form used under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 to record the abuse you have faced.

Its role is to provide the court (the Magistrate or Judge) with a clear, unbiased summary of:

What happened to you
Who was involved
What help you need

Who Can Report Domestic Violence?

The law is flexible about who can report abuse. A complaint can be made by:

You, the survivor, or
Anyone else who knows about the abuse – a friend, a relative, a neighbour, or a social worker

Who Prepares the DIR?

This is an important detail: you do not write the DIR yourself, and neither does your personal lawyer.

It must be prepared by one of two specific officials:

1. Protection Officer (PO): A government official appointed in every district to assist survivors of domestic violence. Filing a DIR is part of their duty.

2. Service Provider: An organisation (such as a registered NGO) approved by the government to support women through legal aid, shelter, counselling, or medical help.

You share your story with the PO or Service Provider, and they fill in the DIR form based on your account.

What Information Goes into a DIR?

The DIR is a standard form designed to help the court quickly understand your situation. It usually includes:

Your details: Your name and contact information
Details of the abuser(s): Known legally as the “respondent”
Information about your children (if any)
Details of the abuse you faced, which may include:

○ Physical violence (hitting, slapping, pushing)

○ Verbal or emotional abuse (insults, threats, humiliation)

○ Economic abuse (taking your salary, denying money for basics, stopping you from working)

○ Sexual abuse (forced sexual acts, being touched against your will, being coerced into unwanted intimacy)

Any dowry-related demands or harassment
Reliefs you are seeking from court, such as:

○ Protection Order (to stop further violence or contact)

○ Residence Order (to allow you to stay in your home)

○ Monetary Relief (financial support for you and your children)

Do I Have to File a DIR to Start a Case?

Not always.

The Supreme Court has clarified that you can file a domestic violence case directly in court through your lawyer, without going through a Protection Officer first.

In such cases, the court will rely on your written complaint. However, the court may still ask a Protection Officer to prepare a DIR later.

Many survivors choose to work with a Protection Officer because their services are free and specifically designed to guide you through the process.

What Happens After the DIR is Filed?

Here’s what usually follows:

1. The Protection Officer prepares the DIR based on your statement.

2. They forward the DIR, along with your main application, to the court.

3. The Magistrate reviews these documents to understand the case.

4. The court then issues a summons to the abuser, and your case formally begins.

The DIR becomes an official and important part of your case record.

Why it Matters

When you approach the court, it’s not only about punishing the abuser. The law also allows the court to grant real, practical reliefs – orders that protect your safety and support your well-being.

Filing a DIR is more than paperwork. It is your voice on record, your right to protection, and your first step towards safety, dignity, and freedom.