Domestic Violence against Women
Violence against women is one of the serious problems in India. Globally, 1 out of 3 women
experiences physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner. Domestic violence is one of
the heinous crimes that are committed against women in Indian society. For the first time in India
in the year 1983, Domestic violence was recognized as a criminal offence. After a decade-long
process of a comprehensive consultations, domestic violence law, known as the Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, was passed and it came to effect in 2006. This law is
applicable all over India except Jammu & Kashmir. Domestic violence as defined by the Protection
of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is physical, verbal, sexual and emotional abuse
against women by a partner or family member residing in joint family. It also includes any activity
which endangers the aggrieved woman or her relative with a view to coerce her, to meet any
unlawful demand for dowry, property or any other valuable security. According to survey
conducted by National Family Health Survey-4, conducted in 2015-16 states that 33% of women in
15-49 year age have experienced, sexual, physical or emotional spousal violence. Out of these,
77% women never spoke about it and only 14% sought help. And out of these 14% 65% reported
to the natal family and only 3% reported to the police. The most common type of domestic
violence is physical violence (27%) followed by economical abuse (13%).
COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated this serious issue. According to National Commission
of Women, after National Lockdown imposed in March there has been more than 50% rise in
domestic violence cases. Increase in reported cases is due to different reasons like economic
insecurity, financial instability and isolation. In one of the report United Nation has termed
Domestic violence as shadow pandemic.
Various forms of domestic violence
1. Physical Violence - Physical violence is one of the most recognizable violence in India. In this
violence force is used against victim which results in injuries. Punching, pushing, burning,
scalding, bruising, Breaking bone, assault with any weapon are some of its examples.
2. Emotional Violence – It is one of the worst forms of abuse as sometimes emotional abuse may
lead to other forms of abuse such as physical, psychological, financial etc. It can be verbal or
non-verbal. It is continuously destroying of self-confidence and self-esteem by threatening,
assaulting in public, ridiculing, accusing etc. Deliberation isolation from relatives is also one
form of emotional abuse.
3. Economic Abuse - This type of abuse means attempting to make victim financially dependent
by batterers. Examples include controlling the financial resources and economic resources,
preventing or not allowing partner to work or gain education etc.
4. Sexual Abuse – It includes sexual assault, harassment and rape. This type of abuse occurs
when person demand sexual activity without women’s consent. Increase in sexual abuse is
may be due to stereotyped sex roles.
Causes of Domestic Violence
There are various factors to domestic violence. Factors like size of family, type of marriage and
husband’s education besides menstrual problem have significant influence on domestic
violence. Patriarchal System of society is one of the main reasons behind domestic violence
against women.
The causes of domestic violence varies from rural to urban. In urban areas some of the causes
of domestic violence are like women coming late at night, higher social status of women etc. In
rural areas, unlawful demand for dowry, poverty, desire for male child, alcoholism, infertility in
female are some of the major reason of domestic violence.
Unequal distribution of power and resources, lower educational status of women, financial
issues, disagreement with intimate partner, unemployment for longer period, jealous and envy
are some of reason which triggers domestic violence against women.
Effect of domestic violence on women and family
Domestic violence causes various short term and long-term effects. It may affect productivity of
women in all forms of life.
Physical Effect
There are various short term and long-term physical effects of violence. Short term effect
include minor injuries like bruises, cuts. Long term physical effect include stress, chronic pain,
asthma, arthritis. Women experiencing violence during pregnancy may face risk of miscarriage,
pre-term labor.
Mental health Effect
Violence may instill various emotions in victim like constant fear, confusion, anger, feeling of
helplessness. If these effects last for longer period then victim may face serious mental health
issues like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety. Constant torture may invite
suicidal thoughts in victim’s mind.
Financial Effect
After breaking up relationship with perpetrator, victim may face financial crisis. Along with her
it can also affect her children to carry out livelihood.
Apart from victim, Domestic Violence also effects children and victim’s family. Children in their
early development stage may suffer behavioral problems and emotional disturbances. It may
have a long last effect on them.
Ways To address Domestic Violence against Women
Domestic Violence is like a communicable disease which needs to be controlled. Various gender
sensitization and various awareness programs which address gender discrimination should be
organized in community to educate people. We as a community need to come together and
support various domestic violence counselling programmes. Government bodies along with
various NGOs should be involved to provide proper medical, legal support to the victims.
Domestic violence should be resolved in fast track courts so that less victim can get justice in
limited time period. Government should make a particularly dedicated body which can provide
psychological support for women who have experienced domestic violence. Various programs
by government should be organized so that women are educated about their rights and legal
procedure in case they face any form violence.
