Facts and Figures of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is irrespective of cultures, classes, sexes and ages and it may have different faces like physical, sexual, social, psychological or economical. The term usually refers to the violence between husband and wife but it encompasses other relationships. The violence which happens strictly between husband and wife, is called ‘Intimate Partner Violence’. But domestic violence can affect live-in partners and even any family member. 

In America, domestic violence has been defined as, “pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.” But in India, the definition gets altered, “human relationships lead to domestic violence when one adult misuses his power to control another person’s life.” Domestic abuse may be physical, sexual, mental, psychological or emotional and all this can be resulted in homicide. But to say it in a layman’s words, domestic violence places place within a private territory and with people bonded through law, blood or personal intimacy. 

It has been a myth that economically independent women don’t receive any domestic abuse. Partially true. According to the statistics, every year 49% of economically dependent women report incidences of domestic abuse against them while the percentage stoops to 7% with economically independent women. And those who belong to comparatively week economic background and less-educated families, are more vulnerable to domestic violence. 

The general form of domestic abuse encompasses female feticide, Physical assault, spousal abuse, social humiliation, economic abuse, homicide, elder abuse, child battering, child abuse, partner abuse, woman battering, man battering, date violence, courtship violence, same sex violence ,sexual assault, marital rape, acquaintance rape, stranger rape, dowry based harassment, homicide, sexual trafficking, child marriages, rape and harassment by in-laws, and public degradation. The Indian Government has taken a major step in the year of 2005 to stop domestic violence by 498 A, a new domestic violence act. The act includes four types of violence against women:

• Behavior that can drive a woman to suicide
• Acts which can cause serious injury to her life and health.
• Deliberate harassment for dowry.
• Physical and mental torture, demanding for money or car or any gift items by the in-laws.

In the year of 2001, 85% cases were recorded against domestic abuse against women while there were only 15% recorded cases of domestic abuse against men. According to the statistics, 3.2 million men against 5.3 million women have been subjected to minor insistences of domestic violence like pushing, shoving, slapping, grabbing and hitting every year. But pitifully, the proper statistics and datum are available regarding domestic violence against men in India. 

Domestic violence not only affects the relationship between family members but also it damages children both emotionally and psychologically. The children are bound to be affected by the scenes of sexual and physical abuse, taking place right in front of their eyes. As a result the kids gets distressed and often indulges in aches and pains, bed wetting, sleep disorders, aggression, disobedience, violence, addiction, cowardice or extremely childish behavior. 

Domestic violence is a form of acute public health issue, which affects both society and human being. Proper awareness is badly needed to prevent this cruel practice. Domestic violence will never leave us, if we don’t refuse to tolerate it any more. There are many domestic violence support groups like Sakshi and Women’s Rights Initiative, who can help people to fight against domestic abuse. If we don’t fight back, the weaker will continue to be exploited by the stronger, physically and mentally.