A Study of Domestic Violence against Women

Abstract

Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, family violence, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behavior which involves the abuse by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, cohabitation, dating or within the family. Domestic violence includes all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or domestic unit or between former or current spouses or partners. Violence by a person against their intimate partner is often done as a way for controlling their partner. Domestic violence has attracted the attention of general public and the judiciary due to series of unpleasant incidents such as loss of life and threat to life. The present study aimed at finding out the prevalent forms of domestic violence, leading factors, awareness, utilization and impact of domestic violence Act on the victims of domestic violence. Twenty victims of domestic violence were selected from BPS Govt. Medical College, khanpur kalan, Sonepat. Through case history method consolidated raw data were framed. The results revealed the physical attack is most prevalent form of domestic violence. Economic problems, Extra-marital relations and marital maladjustment found to be most prevalent cause of violence. More than half of the cases were aware of the domestic violence Act but not utilizing because of fear of social stigma as it has both positive and negative impact on the lives of victims according to the present study.