Domestic violence is a social problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is defined as any act of physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse committed by a person against their spouse, partner, or family member. In India, domestic violence is a criminal offence and is covered under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) 2005.
However, there is a common misconception that only women are victims of domestic violence. While women are more likely to experience domestic violence, men can also be victims of domestic abuse. In fact, according to a study by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), almost one-third of Indian men have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence from their wives.
The PWDVA covers any woman who is or has been in a domestic relationship with the abuser, regardless of her marital status. The term “domestic relationship” includes relationships such as marriage, live-in relationships, and relationships where the parties are related by blood or adoption. The Act defines “abuse” to include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse.
In addition to physical violence, the Act also covers other forms of abuse, such as verbal abuse, emotional abuse, economic abuse, mental as well as psychological abuse . Verbal abuse includes insults, threats, and name-calling. Emotional abuse includes tactics such as humiliation, isolation, and controlling behaviour. Economic abuse includes controlling a victim’s access to financial resources. mental abuse includes gaslighting, overly criticise, making unreasonable demands etc. psychological abuse includes isolation from others, stalking ,defamation etc. all the above type of abuse can cause severe mental and psychological distress.
The Act provides several remedies for victims of domestic violence. These include protection orders, residence orders, monetary relief, and custody orders. A protection order is an order from the court that prohibits the abuser from committing any act of domestic violence against the victim. A residence order is an order that gives the victim the right to reside in the shared household, regardless of whether she has any ownership or tenancy rights in the household. Monetary relief can be awarded to the victim to cover her medical expenses, loss of earnings, or any other expenses incurred as a result of the abuse. Finally, the Act provides for custody orders for the victim’s children, which can be awarded to the victim or to another person.
In addition to the legal remedies provided under the Act, the government has also established several support services for victims of domestic violence. These include shelter homes, counselling services, and legal aid. These services are available to both men and women who are victims of domestic violence.
It should be noted, however, that domestic violence continues to be a serious issue in India in spite of the legal and support services available. According to a report by the National Crime Records Bureau, there were over 4.05 lakh cases of crimes against women in 2019, and over 30% of these cases were related to cruelty by husbands and relatives. Moreover, many cases of domestic violence go unreported due to fear of reprisal or societal pressure.
In conclusion, domestic violence is a major concern in India, and it affects both men and women. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act provides legal remedies for victims of domestic violence, including protection orders, monetary relief, and custody orders. The government has also established support services for victims of domestic violence, including shelter homes, counselling services, and legal aid. However, more needs to be done to raise awareness about domestic violence and to encourage victims to come forward and seek help.
