Physical violence

Physical injury is the most visible form of domestic violence. The scope of
physical domestic/intimate partner violence includes slapping, pushing, kicking,
biting, hitting, throwing objects, strangling, beating, threatening with any form of
weapon, or using a weapon.[23] Worldwide, the percentage of women who suffer
serious injuries as a result of physical domestic violence tends to range from 19% –
55%.[2] Physical injuries as a result of domestic violence against women are more
obvious than psychological ones, and can be more easily discerned by health
professionals as well as courts of law in the context of legal prosecution.

Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse has been gaining more and more recognition in recent years as an
incredibly common form of domestic violence (and therefore a human rights
abuse) within the private home throughout developing nations such as India.
Psychological abuse can erode a woman's sense of self-worth and can be incredibly
harmful to overall mental and physical wellbeing. Emotional/psychological abuse
can include harassment; threats; verbal abuse such as name-calling, degradation
and blaming; stalking; and isolation. [23]

Women who experience domestic violence overwhelmingly tend to have greater

overall emotional distress, as well as disturbingly high occurrences of suicidal
thoughts and attempts. According to a study by the National Centre for
Biotechnology Information, suicide attempts in India are correlated with physical
and psychological intimate partner violence. Of the Indian women who
participated in the study, 7.5% reported attempting suicide. This correlation is
supported by the high rates of domestic violence in India, although the rates differ
greatly by region, individual socioeconomic status and other factors

Honor killing
An honour killing is the practice wherein an individual is killed by one or more
family member(s), because he or she is believed to have brought shame on the
family.[32] The shame may range from refusing to enter an arranged marriage,
having sex outside marriage, being in a relationship that is disapproved by the
family, starting a divorce proceeding, or engaging in homosexual relations. [33][34]

In 2010, the Supreme Court of India issued notice seeking data and explanation for
rise in honor killings to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
Dowry-related abuse and deaths
In almost all the Hindu families the Ritual of taking dowry has caused a serious
problem in the society.Some newly married brides suffer domestic violence in the
form of harassment, physical abuse or death when she is thought to have not
brought enough dowry with marriage. Some cases end up in suicides by hanging,
self-poisoning or by fire.[36][37] In dowry deaths, the groom's family is the perpetrator
of murder or suicide.[38]

According to Indian National Crime Record Bureau, in 2012, 8,233 dowry death
cases were reported across India,[39] or dowry issues cause 1.4 deaths per year per
100,000 women in India.[40][41] For contextual reference, the United Nations reports a
worldwide average female homicide rate of 3.6 per 100,000 women, and an
average of 1.6 homicides per 100,000 women for Northern Europe in 2012. [42]

Dowry deaths in India is not limited to any specific religion, and it is found among
Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others. Some 80% of the total Dowry related crime
found in the Hindu community followed by other Indian Religions as giving
Dowry is considered as an important ritual in the Traditional Hindu
Marriage.Furthermore, in many parts of India the Ritual of Tilak(Engagement)done
mostly in Hindu families is used by Groom's Family to Demand a huge sum of
money.[43][44]

The Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a

dowry, "as consideration for the marriage", where "dowry" is defined as a gift
demanded or given as a precondition for a marriage. Gifts given without a
precondition are not considered dowry, and are legal. Asking or giving of dowry
can be punished by an imprisonment of up to six months, or a fine. It replaced
several pieces of anti-dowry legislation that had been enacted by various Indian
states.[45] Murder and suicide under compulsion are addressed by India's criminal
penal code. The law was made more stringent with Section 498a of Indian Penal
Code (enacted in 1983). Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence
Act 2005 (PWDVA), a woman can seek help against dowry harassment by
approaching a domestic violence protection officer

Forced and child marriage

Girls are vulnerable to being forced into marriage at young ages, suffering from a
double vulnerability: both for being a child and for being female. Child brides
often do not understand the meaning and responsibilities of marriage. Causes of
such marriages include the view that girls are a burden for their parents, and the
fear of girls losing their chastity before marriage

Acid throwing
Acid throwing, also called an acid attack, a vitriol attack or vitriolage, is a form of
violent assault used against women in India. [43] Acid throwing is the act of throwing
acid or an alternative corrosive substance onto a person's body "with the intention
to disfigure, maim, torture, or kill."[44] Acid attacks are usually directed at a victim's
face which burns the skin causing damage and often exposing or dissolving bone. [45]
[46]
 Acid attacks can lead to permanent scarring, [47] blindness, as well as social,
psychological and economic difficulties. [44]

The Indian legislature has regulated the sale of acid. [48] Compared to women
throughout the world, women in India are at a higher risk of being victims of acid
attacks.[49] At least 72% of reported acid attacks in India have involved women.
[49]
 India has been experiencing an increasing trend of acid attacks over the past
decade.[49]

In 2010, there was a high of 27 reported cases of chemical assaults. [49]Scholars

believe that acid attacks in India are being under-reported. [49] 34% of acid attacks in
India have been determined to be related to rejection of marriage or refusal by a
woman of sexual advances.[49] 20% of acid attacks have been determined to be
related to land, property, and/or business disputes. [49] Acid attacks related to
marriage are often spurred by dowry disagreements