Women’s Charter 1961 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 11 · Offences Against Women and Girls
160. Director‑General may order detention or commitment of woman or girl in certain cases
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2023. 3 amendments in all.
Any woman or girl —
whose lawful guardian requests the Director‑General in writing to detain her in a place of safety or to commit her to the care of a fit individual;
whom the Director‑General considers is in need of protection and whose lawful guardian cannot be found;
whom the Director‑General believes to have been ill‑treated and is in need of protection; or
whom the Director‑General considers to be in moral danger,may, by warrant of the Director‑General, be ordered to be removed to a place of safety and there detained, or to be committed to the care of a fit individual, until the Director‑General has held an inquiry as to the circumstances of the case.
Every such inquiry must be completed within a period of one month from the date of the woman’s or girl’s admission into the place of safety or commitment to the care of the fit individual, as the case may be.
place of safety
“place of safety” means any place of safety established under section 177;
If, after holding such inquiry, the Director‑General is satisfied that the woman or girl is in need of protection, the Director‑General may by warrant order that the woman or girl be detained in a place of safety, or committed to the care of a fit individual, for such period as the Director‑General may determine.
Director‑General
“Director‑General”, except in Part 7, means the Director‑General of Social Welfare and includes any person who is authorised by the Director‑General to perform any of the duties or exercise any of the powers of the Director‑General under this Act;
Where a girl has been detained in a place of safety, or committed to the care of a fit individual, at the request of the girl’s lawful guardian, the girl may be detained or committed for such period as the Director‑General determines is necessary for the girl’s rehabilitation, despite any request made by the girl’s lawful guardian for the girl’s early release.
fit individual
“fit individual” means an individual whom the Director‑General, having regard to the character of the individual, thinks competent to provide care and protection to another individual;