3. Similarities and differences in terminology
Jump to
3. Similarities and differences in terminology Start Comparison
3.1 Domestic violence
There is no specific definition.
3.2 Stalking
There is no specific definition, but invading residences and tampering with correspondence are criminalized in Articles 299 and 300 of the Cameroonian Penal Code.
3.3 Harassment

Article 302-1 (1) of the Cameroonian Penal Code states the following about sexual harassment:

Whoever takes advantage of the authority conferred on him by his position to harass another using orders, threats, constraints or pressure in order to obtain sexual favours, shall be punished.

No other sexual harassment provision is mentioned in the code.
3.4 Victim
There is no specific definition.
3.5 Abuser

There is no specific definition in the Cameroonian Penal Code and it is more often referred to as an "offender" or "perpetrator." However, Article 307(1) of the Cameroonian Penal Code states the following about abuse:

Whoever uses without having been provoked against any person in the circumstances of publicity described in Article 152 any insulting expression, or contemptuous gesture or words, or invective without imputation of fact, shall be punished.

This can be understood as an implicit definition of an abuser.
3.6 Civil protection order
There is no specific definition.
3.7 Causes of action
There is no specific definition.
3.8 Marital rape
There is no specific definition.
3.9 Are there any other important domestic violence terms defined in relevant domestic violence statutes and codes?
There are no specific regulations about domestic violence and no relevant terms are defined in domestic legislation. Domestic violence victims need to rely on the definitions provided for standard violent crimes, specifically rape and abuse.