In the hopes of stemming domestic violence and assisting victims in their search for security and redress, Gender Minister Olivia Grange has made several suggestions to amend the Domestic Violence Act of 1996.

She opened the debate on the Bill to amend the act in the House of Representatives yesterday.

She said the amendments are a declaration of commitment to safeguard the vulnerable and strike fear into the hearts of those who would perpetrate harm.

The proposed amendments under the act includes increasing the number of persons who can apply for a protection order under the act and for perpetrators to hand over property owned by the victim and any gun or other prohibited weapon to the police.

Perpetrators of domestic violence who breach protective orders from the court could now be fined up to $1 million, up from $10,000 and be sentenced for up to one year in prison, up from six months.