(1) The following persons may be present during the hearing of any proceedings under this Act—
(a) an officer of the Court;
(b) a party to the proceedings and his or her attorney-at-law;
(c) a witness; or
(d) any other person permitted by the magistrate to be present.
(2) A witness shall leave the Court room if asked to do so by the magistrate.
(3) This section does not limit the power of the court to hear proceedings in camera or to exclude a person from the court.
(4) Where an application is made on behalf of a child or a child is the respondent in an application, the parent of that child may be a party to the proceedings.
(5) This section does not prevent a child on whose behalf or against whom an application for a protection order is made from being heard in the proceedings and if the child expresses his or her views, the court shall take account of those views, having regard to—
(a) the age and maturity of the child; and
(b) the ability of the child to express his or her views.