We're separated, and it happens somewhere other than our house — does the law still apply?
Last updated: 2026-08-10 · Educational content; not legal advice.
Short answer
Yes, on both counts. RA 9262 §3 explicitly covers a "former wife," not only a current spouse, and states that the abuse it covers applies "within or without the family abode" — meaning it isn't limited to acts that happen inside the home you shared.
Need a letter for this?
Primary sources
Frequently asked
Does 'former wife' require a final annulment or legal separation?
§3 uses the term "former wife" without defining what makes a marriage "former" for this purpose — this register doesn't independently verify whether a pending annulment case or an informal separation qualifies.
What kinds of places outside the home does this cover?
§3 doesn't list specific locations — it states the covered acts apply "within or without the family abode" as a general rule, without naming particular places outside it.
Does this also apply if we were never married, just dating?
Yes — separately from the "former wife" language, §3 also covers a woman with whom a man "has or had" a sexual or dating relationship, so a former boyfriend is covered the same way a former husband is.
Take action
Got a similar problem?
File a complaint and we'll pre-fill BSP, SEC, DTI, and small-claims letters for you.
Whether what's happening even counts as abuse under RA 9262 — psychological violence without a hand ever being raised, economic control, threats, and the reach of the law beyond marriage and beyond your front door.