SingaporeMy PPO was breached. What happens to the offender?
If a Protection Order (PPO) under the Women's Charter is breached, the offender commits an offence and may be fined up to $5,000, jailed up to 12 months, or both.
What the Law Says
The Women's Charter makes it a criminal offence to breach a Protection Order (PPO). The law sets out clear penalties for non-compliance.
A Protection Order (PPO) is a court order issued under the Women's Charter to protect victims of family violence. If someone knowingly disobeys any condition of a valid PPO, they commit a criminal offence.
The penalty applies regardless of whether the breach caused physical harm — even contact or communication prohibited by the PPO can trigger prosecution.
The court may impose either a fine, imprisonment, or both, depending on the seriousness of the breach and the offender’s history.
Statutory TextAny person who contravenes any order made under this Part shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
— Women's Charter, s. 65 — Offence to contravene order
What to Do
Report the breach immediately to the police or call 999 if you feel unsafe.
Preserve evidence (e.g., messages, call logs, witness statements) that show the breach occurred.
Contact the Family Violence Specialist Centre (FVSC) or AWARE’s Helpline (1800-777-5555) for support and guidance.
You may also apply to the court for enforcement or variation of the PPO if needed.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.