Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence can be described as when one adult in a relationship misuses power to control another. It is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. The violence may involve physical abuse, sexual assault and threats. Sometimes it’ subtle, like making someone feel worthless, not letting them have any money, or not allowing them to leave the home. Social isolation and emotional abuse can have long-lasting effects as well as physical violence.

Domestic Violence isn’t just hitting, or fighting, or an occasional argument. It’s an abuse of power. The abuser tortures and controls the victim by calculated threats, intimidation, and physical violence. . Although both men and women can be abused, in most cases, the victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are also abused or neglected. Although the woman is usually the primary target, violence is sometimes directed toward children, and sometimes toward family members and friends.

India boasts of a culture dating back to thousands of years where women were treated with respect. It is ironical that men worship goddesses and yet go back home and physically abuse their wives. Violence against women ranges from severe oppression to abuse, aggression and exploitation. It is known as female infanticide, neglect and undernourishment of the girl child, denial of education to girls, rape, pre-puberty marriage, wife- beating and harassment of a bride leading to her suicide or murder.

Many women in India are the victims of domestic abuse. Domestic violence is a crime that has existed for centuries in many. Over the years, women have waged a determined struggle against such violence and succeeded in bringing about the changes in law and its implementation by sensitizing the judiciary, the police and the society to a certain extent.

To combat violence one must first understand its concept. According to a report prepared by Mumbai’s SNDT University Research Center for Women’s Studies.

Bibliography: