The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is an important Indian legislation designed to protect women from violence and abuse within domestic relationships. From the perspective of counselling, the Act is significant because domestic violence affects not only the physical safety of women but also their emotional well-being, self-esteem, mental health, family relationships and social functioning. The Act provides a legal framework through which women can seek protection, residence, financial assistance and other forms of relief. The Act gives a broad definition of domestic violence. It includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse, and economic abuse. Physical abuse refers to acts causing bodily pain, injury or danger to health. Sexual abuse includes conduct of a sexual nature that humiliates or violates the dignity of a woman. Verbal and emotional abuse may involve insults, humiliation, threats, repeated criticism or intimidation. Economic abuse includes deprivation of financial resources, household necessities, property, maintenance or access to money. This broad understanding is important in counselling because violence is not limited to visible physical injuries. The Act protects women who are or have been in a domestic relationship with the respondent. A domestic