Domestic Violence against Women in Jammu and Kashmir: Nature and Incidence

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to examine the nature and incidence of domestic violence against women. Domestic Violence is a sensitive topic and the varying causes which can spark the violence within the four walls of homes need to be analyzed carefully and study of the factors causing the violence may prevent a family to suffer from the menace of domestic violence. In India comprehensive household data on the prevalence and costs of domestic violence are lacking. This hidden nature of domestic violence against women remains so due to the social construction of the division between public and private affairs, either because women are ashamed to discuss about it, or because no one has thought to ask them about it, or because it is considered as a natural part of culture. The domestic violence against women composes of all acts which hurt the women physically and mentally. Thus, it reflects in all practices related to wife beating, harassment of women, denial of basic rights and needs to women, demand of dowry, threat of divorce to wives, abuse of women by in-laws, bride burning and rape of women. Domestic violence is to be perceived not as a law and order problem alone.

Keywords:  Domestic, Violence, Nature, Incidence, Sensitive, Beating, Harassment