A complaint is filed under section 12 of the Act by any woman (irrespective of her religion or status) against any person if the woman has been in a shared household along with that person. It means apart from a husband and wife relationship, the Act empowers even the mother, sister, and woman in a live-in relationship to file a complaint against their family members or live-in partner. The Act is complementary to penal provisions (Indian Penal Code or any existing law) and maintenance provisions given to women under Indian Law.