Domestic Violence is a term that has been heard frequently nowadays. This word gained more significance when the countries all around the world were pushed to a lockdown due to pandemic. In most of the places, the domestic violence rates almost doubled during these lockdown days. In India, the National Commission for Women states that out of 587 cases they received from this March 23 to April 16, 239 are related to domestic violence. From February 27 to March 22, it was 123. These numbers are really huge when compared to the complaints received before lockdown. Still, the majority of the people are unaware of, "What domestic violence actually means?" So, let us have a look at a simplified definition of the same
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Domestic violence is the act of causing harm or injury to the life, limb, health, or well-being (mental or physical) of a person by another person with whom the victim/survivor is having a domestic relationship.
Then, what is a domestic relationship?
It is the relationship between two persons who live or have lived together (earlier) in a shared household. Also these two persons are connected through any of the following:
Intimate/marital/familial relationship or relation due to adoption.
Types of Domestic Violence
When we think of domestic violence the first image that probably goes through our mind may be physical harassment like hitting, slapping, and so on. Unfortunately, it is far beyond that. Domestic violence can be categorized as the following:
Physical Abuse
Emotional/Psychological Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Financial Abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse can be identified easily and this type of violence may include the following:
■Hitting
■Punching
■Kicking
■Slapping
■Strangling
■Burning
■Physical Restraining
■Pushing
■Pulling hair
■Using weapons
Emotional Abuse
It is the most subtle, hidden, and sophisticated type of violence. Emotional violence is very hard to recognize and prove in front of the law. It is more painful than physical abuse. Here, the perpetrator will be using different tactics like threats and intimidation. Look at a few examples:
■Repeated criticism like putting someone down, calling names, or telling them are worthless.
■Threatening to harm their loved ones or properties.
Sexual Abuse
It is the use of coercive force or threats to engage in sexual acts or sexual intercourse. It may also include:
■Forcing to watch pornography or other obscene material.
■Forcing the person to engage in any other act of sexual nature.
■Degrading the sexuality of a person.
It is very disturbing that in some countries including India, marital rape is not considered as a crime under the law. Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) considers the forced sex in marriages as a crime only when the wife is below 15. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005(PWDVA) outlaws marital rape. However, it offers only a civil remedy for the offense.
Financial Abuse
■Demand for dowry
■Denying access to money
■Stealing of money
■Frivolously spending the victim’s money
■Denying the victims opportunities to earn money and become financially independent
■Refuse to contribute financially
Statistics show that most married women belong to both rural and urban categories are subjected to domestic violence during their lifetime. But when we consider a broader picture, we can see that domestic violence can happen to anyone irrespective of their age, caste/religion/race, social status, disability, nationality, and the most importantly
GENDER
More information regarding the PWDVA 2005 will be provided in the next article. Subscribe below so that you don't miss the upcoming posts.
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