Domestic violence is a form of physical abuse where one person intimidates another person within their home. There are many reasons why someone becomes violent. In India, domestic violence primarily means violence that a woman suffers from a male member or relative of her family.
There are a few different definitions of domestic violence. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, of 2005 is one that’s commonly used in legal proceedings. The Indian Penal Code had no provision for crimes of domestic violence before the enactment of the Domestic Violence Act in 1993. Section 498-A has two shortcomings. One is that there is no provision providing relief or compensation for victims under this provision. Section 498-A was applicable only to married women. In order to overcome these defects. Under the Domestic Violence Act, victims can access a wide range of services. They include shelters, medical facilities, protection orders, compensation, and many others which is provided by the Domestic Violence Act.
Domestic violence includes physical abuse, mental abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and economic abuse. Physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse are all types of abuse that fall under domestic violence. Abuse in the domestic violence act covers both physical and emotional abuse, including threats of physical or emotional harm.
Types of Domestic Violence –
The forms of domestic violence that are commonly committed against women are physical, sexual, verbal, and emotional abuse. Domestic Violence is defined as any act that causes bodily pain or danger to the life, limb, or health or development of the victim.
- Physical Abuse: One of the most visible forms of domestic violence is physical abuse. Any act that causes bodily pain or danger to the life of the victim is domestic violence.
- Sexual abuse: Abuse is a form of coercive control that has many negative effects, including causing post-traumatic stress. It is generally believed that marital rape should be within the ambit of sexual abuse. Marital rape is not prohibited unless the Woman (wife) is below 15 years of age. Sexual abuse is any type of sexual abuse that has occurred and/or occurs against you or your family member, whether it’s emotional, physical, psychological, or verbal.
- Verbal and emotional abuse: Domestic violence against women is included in the definition of verbal abuse. Domestic violence from the human rights perspective can be caused by verbal abuse. A woman’s sense of self-worth is eroded by psychological abuse and verbal abuse.
- Economic abuse: Economic abuse is a way to deprive the victim and her children of financial resources. Economic abuse is a way to deprive the victim and her children of financial resources.
Causes of Domestic Violence in India
There is more than one reason that leads to domestic violence. The factors that lead to the perpetration of domestic violence against women are a combination of many.
- Sociological/Behavioral Factors
- Historical Factors
- Religious Factors
- Cultural Factors
- Dowry
The nearest Police Station, Protection Officer, and Service Provider can be reached by any woman who wants to file a complaint under the Domestic Violence Act. The protection officer will be appointed by the court. The protection officer acts as a connection between the system and the victims of domestic violence. The court must give the complainant a hearing within three days of the complaint being filed. The court will pass a protection order if the complaint is genuine. There are a number of ways in which people can file a complaint for domestic violence, but section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code does recognize the offense of matrimonial cruelty.
