Description

Domestic violence is not just a problem of the lower and middle classes. It is very prevalent even among prominent people.The signs of  domestic violence  are not always obvious and a lot of women don’t report that they’re being abused. Even the woman’s own family is not always supportive at such times, because of the shame and guilt that surrounds such issues. Another concern that women face is how to prove domestic violence in India.

Domestic violence is not physical violence alone. Domestic violence is any behavior the purpose of which is to gain power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend or intimate family member. Abuse is a learned behavior; it is not caused by anger, mental problems, drugs or alcohol, or other common excuses.

Domestic violence against women can be of different types such as:

Physical abuse :-

    Hitting, kicking, biting, slapping, shaking, pushing, pulling, punching, choking, beating, scratching, pinching, pulling hair, stabbing, shooting, drowning, burning, hitting with an object, threatening with a weapon, or threatening to physically assault.

    Insulting or criticizing to undermine the victim’s self-confidence. This includes public humiliation, as well as actual or threatened rejection.
    Threatening or accusing, either directly or indirectly, with intention to cause emotional or physical harm or loss. For instance, threatening to kill the victim or himself, or both.

Controlling behavior

    Checking the mileage on the odometer following her use of the car.
    Monitoring phone calls, using caller ID or other number monitoring devises, not allowing her to make or receive phone calls.
    Not allowing her freedom of choice in terms of clothing styles, makeup or hairstyle. This may include forcing her to dress more seductively or more conservatively than she is comfortable.
    Calling or coming home unexpectedly to check up on her. This may initially start as what appears to be a loving gesture, but becomes a sign of jealousy or possessivenes

Sexual abuse

    Using force, coercion, guilt, or manipulation or not considering the victim’s desire to have sex. This may include making her have sex with others, have unwanted sexual experiences, or be involuntarily involved in prostitution.
    Exploiting a victim who is unable to make an informed decision about involvement in sexual activity because of being asleep, intoxicated, drugged, disabled, too young, too old, or dependent upon or afraid of the perpetrator.
    Laughing or making fun of another’s sexuality or body, making offensive statements, insulting, or name-calling in relation to the victim’s sexual preferences/behavio

Showing male superiority

As long as we as a culture accept the principle and privilege of male dominance, men will continue to be abusive. As long as we as a culture accept and tolerate violence against women, men will continue to be abusive.

    Controlling the family income and either not allowing the victim access to money or rigidly limiting her access to family funds. This may also include keeping financial secrets or hidden accounts, putting the victim on an allowance or allowing her no say in how money is spent, or making her turn her paycheck over to him. Causing the victim to lose a job or preventing her from taking a job. He can make her lose her job by making her late for work, refusing to provide transportation to work, or by calling/harassing/calling her at work.
    Spending money for necessities (food, rent, utilities) on nonessential items (drugs, alcohol, stereo equipment, hobbies.)

Physical abuse includes aggressive behaviour to harm someone physically or

even threat of physical abuse. It could be actions like:

    Hitting
    Slapping
    Punching
    Choking
    Beating
    Threatening with a weapon
    Stabbing
    Any behaviour to intimidate the victim.

Other instances include:

    Withholding some of physical needs like sleep, food, help during sickness, locking victim into or out of home.
    Controlling behaviour is also one form of domestic violence. It could include not allowing victim a freedom of choice for clothing, food or anything. Invading the privacy and any sort of spying activities against the victim can fall under this category.
    Emotional blackmails, torture and isolation are other types of domestic violence which are also reported.

In most of the cases, violence is the result of male dominance because the society sees male as superior to women. The challenging part is that the cases exist in almost all sections of the society, including the well-educated families.