Domestic
violence (also
named domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting,
such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic
violence may be used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner, and can take place in heterosexual or same sex relationships, or between former spouses or partners. In the broadest sense,
domestic violence can also involve violence against children, parents, or the
elderly. It takes a number of forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive and sexual abuse, which
can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to
violent physical abuse such as choking, beating, female genital mutilation, and acid throwing that results in disfigurement or death.
Domestic murders include stoning, bride burning, honor killing and dowry death(which
sometimes involve non-cohabitating family members).
FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Physical
abuse is that involving contact intended to cause fear, pain, injury, other
physical suffering or bodily harm. In the context of coercive control, physical
abuse is to control the victim. Physical violence can be the culmination of
other abusive behavior, such as threats, intimidation, and restriction of
victim self-determination through isolation, manipulation and other limitations
of personal freedom. Denying medical care, sleep deprivation, and forced drug
or alcohol use, are also forms of physical abuse.
Sexual
abuse, is defined by World Health Organization as any sexual act, attempt to
obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or
otherwise directed, against a person's sexuality using coercion. Aside
from initiation of the sexual act through physical force, sexual abuse occurs
if a person is verbally pressured into consenting, unable to understand the
nature or condition of the act, unable to decline participation, or unable to
communicate unwillingness to engage in the sexual act. This could be because of
underage immaturity, illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other
drugs, or due to intimidation or pressure.
Emotional
abuse includes minimizing threats, isolation, public humiliation, unrelenting criticism. Stalking is a common form of psychological intimidation. Victims tend to feel their
partner has nearly total control over them, greatly affecting the power dynamic
in a relationship, empowering the perpetrator, and disempowering the victim.
Victims often suffer from depression, putting them at increased risk of eating disorders, suicide, and drug and alcohol abuse.
Economic
abuse (or financial abuse) is a form of abuse when one intimate partner has
control over the other partner's access to economic resources. Marital assets are
used as a means of control. Economic abuse diminishes the victim's capacity to
support themselves, increasing dependence on the perpetrator, including reduced
access to education, employment, career advancement, and assets acquirement.
Forcing or pressuring a family member to sign documents, to sell things, or to
change a will are forms of economic abuse.
A partner’s
domination may take the form of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Studies
suggest that violent behavior often is caused by an interaction of situational
and individual factors. That means that abusers learn violent behavior from
their family, people in their community and other cultural influences as they
grow up. They may have seen violence often or they may have been victims
themselves. Some abusers acknowledge growing up having been abused as a child.
Children
who witness or are the victims of violence may learn to believe that violence
is a reasonable way to resolve conflict between people. Boys who learn that
women are not to be valued or respected and who see violence directed against
women are more likely to abuse women when they grow up. Girls who witness
domestic violence in their families of origin are more likely to be victimized
by their own husbands. Although women are most often the victim of domestic
violence, the gender roles can and are reversed sometimes.
Alcohol and
drugs may contribute to violent behavior. A drunk or high person will be less
likely to control his or her violent impulses toward their partner, so keeping
such drinking or drug use episodes to a minimum may be valuable for a person
living in a domestic violence situation.
No cause of
domestic violence, however, justifies the actions of the abuser, nor should it
be used as a rationale for their behavior. These possible causes are only to
better understand why an abuser believes it is acceptable to abuse their
partner physically, sexually, psychologically or emotionally. Ultimately an
abuser needs to get help for their unhealthy and destructive behavior, or find
themselves living a solitary and lonely life.
•
1
in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience severe physical violence by an
intimate partner in their lifetime. (CDC, 2017)
•
1
in 10 women in the United States will be raped by an intimate partner in her
lifetime. (CDC, 2010)
• Approximately
16.9% of women and 8.0% of men will experience sexual violence other than rape
by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. (CDC, 2010)
•
Data
on sexual violence against men may be underreported.
•
An
estimated 9.7% of women and 2.3% of men have been stalked by an intimate
partner during their lifetime. (CDC, 2017)
•
Nearly
half of all women and men in the United States will experience psychological
aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. (CDC, 2017)
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES TO CURB DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
- Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, meant for uplifting women in the
sphere of women’s education - Sukanya Samriddhi Account, meant to help families’ save for
their daughters - One Stop Center scheme meant to offer easy access for women
suffering from domestic abuse or violence, and needing support - Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana meant to offer free LPG
connections to women living below poverty line - Mahila Haat meant to support women entrepreneurs and women
self-help groups - Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for Children of Working
Mothers meant to provide affordable daycare services to working women - Maternity Benefit Scheme meant for pregnant women and
lactating mothers - Women’s Helpline 1091 meant to provide emergency assistance
to women in trouble, especially those facing violence of any kind
•
Calling the police if you see or hear evidence of
domestic violence.
•
Speak out publicly against domestic violence.
•
Consider reaching out to your neighbor, friends, family.
•
Educating others on domestic violence.
•
Organize campaigns special in rural areas.
- Donating to domestic violence counselling programs
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