CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

Domestic violence for women

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Violence against women and girls is one of the world’s most prevalent human rights
violations, taking place every day, many times over, in every corner of the globe. It has
serious short- and long-term physical, economic and psychological consequences on women
and girls, preventing their full and equal participation in society. The magnitude of its
impact, both in the lives of individuals and families and society as a whole, is immeasurable.
Conditions created by the pandemic – including lockdowns, reduced mobility, heightened
isolation, stress and economic uncertainty – have led to an alarming spike in domestic
violence and have further exposed women and girls to other forms of violence, from child.

Violence against women and girls is defined as any act of gender-based violence that results
in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women and girls,
including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in
public or in private life. Violence against women and girls encompasses, but is not limited to,
physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family or within the general
community, and perpetrated or condoned by the State.

Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, is any pattern of
behavior that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It
encompasses all physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological actions or threats of
actions that influence another person. This is one of the most common forms of violence
experienced by women globally.

1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEMS:

Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is a pattern of
abusive behavior by one partner against another in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating,
family, or friends. It can take many forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse,
and financial abuse.

Domestic violence can have a devastating impact on victims, both physically and emotionally. Victims
may experience physical injuries, chronic pain, mental health problems, and financial hardship. Domestic
violence can also have a negative impact on children who witness it, increasing their risk of developing
mental health problems and engaging in abusive behavior themselves in the future.

Despite the severity of domestic violence, it is often underreported and under-prosecuted. This is due to
a number of factors, including fear of retaliation from the abuser, lack of awareness of victim's rights,
and lack of access to resources and support.
There is a need for more research on domestic violence in order to better understand the problem,
develop effective prevention and intervention strategies, and improve support services for victims.
Some specific research problems that could be investigated include:

• The prevalence and incidence of domestic violence in different populations

• The risk factors for domestic violence
• The impact of domestic violence on victims and their children
• The effectiveness of different prevention and intervention strategies
• The best ways to support victims of domestic violence

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of women worldwide. It can have a
profound impact on the victim's physical and mental health, as well as their social and economic well-
being.

There are a number of reasons why it is important to study domestic violence against women. First, it
can help us to better understand the causes and risk factors for this type of violence. This knowledge can
then be used to develop more effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Second, studying domestic violence can help us to identify the specific needs of victims. This information
can be used to develop tailored support services that can help victims to recover from the violence and
rebuild their lives.

Third, studying domestic violence can help to raise awareness of this issue and challenge the stigma that
is often associated with it. This can help to create a more supportive environment for victims and
encourage them to seek help.

Finally, studying domestic violence can help to promote social change. By understanding the root causes
of this type of violence, we can work to create a more just and equitable society where all women are
safe and respected.

Here are some specific examples of how studying domestic violence can lead to positive outcomes:

• A study of the risk factors for domestic violence against women could lead to the development
of more effective prevention programs.
• A study of the impact of domestic violence on women's mental health could lead to the
development of more effective treatments for victims.
• A study of the needs of women who are victims of domestic violence could lead to the
development of better support services.
• A study of the stigma associated with domestic violence could lead to public awareness
campaigns that encourage victims to seek help.
• A study of the root causes of domestic violence could lead to social change initiatives
that promote gender equality and prevent violence against women

1.4 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

 Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects millions of people around the world. It is defined
as any pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control
over an intimate partner. This can include physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and
economic abuse.
The objective of domestic violence is to control and intimidate the victim. The abuser may use a
variety of tactics to achieve this goal, such as threats, insults, isolation, and financial control. The
abuser may also try to control the victim’s behavior by dictating what they can wear, who they can
see, and where they can go.
Domestic violence can have a devastating impact on victims, both physically and emotionally.
Victims of domestic violence may experience physical injuries, such as bruises, broken bones, and
internal injuries. They may also experience emotional trauma, such as depression, anxiety, and post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

1.5 METHODOLOGY:

Domestic violence is a complex issue with a variety of causes and consequences.

There is no single methodology for studying domestic violence, but most research on
the topic combines quantitative and qualitative methods.

Quantitative methods, such as surveys and experiments, can be used to study large
populations and identify patterns and trends in domestic violence. For example, a
survey might be used to collect data on the prevalence of domestic violence in different
demographic groups, or an experiment might be used to test the effectiveness of a new
intervention program for domestic violence survivors.

Qualitative methods, such as interviews and focus groups, can be used to gain a
deeper understanding of the experiences of individuals and families affected by
domestic violence. For example, an interview might be used to explore the impact of
domestic violence on a survivor's mental health, or a focus group might be used to learn
about the challenges faced by survivors in finding safe and affordable housing.

The methodology used to study domestic violence will vary depending on the specific
research questions being asked. However, all research on domestic violence should be
conducted in a way that is respectful of survivors and their families. Researchers should
also be mindful of the potential risks associated with conducting research on domestic
violence, such as retraumatization of survivors.

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE:

Malavika Karlekar- Domestic Violence Vol. 33, No. 27 (Jul. 4-10, 1998), pp. 1741-1751

The ever-present fact of violence, both over and covert physical and non-physical has an
overwhelming influence on feminine identity formation. Using the life cycle approach this article
argues that at every stage there is discrimination and violence, particularly against girl children
and later women within the household, either natal or conjugal. With age, problems are
compounded with increased dependency, illness and fatigue. Despite the ubiquity of violence
against women, both within the home and in public spaces, the celebration of individual
experiences has led to the emergence of alternative discourses where the 'truth' and validity of
established structures, norms and roles are called into question.

Michael Salter- Multi-Perpetrator Domestic Violence Vol. 15, No. 2 (April 2014), pp. 102-112

Trauma, Violence, and Abuse (TVA), peer-reviewed and published five times per year, is a
review journal devoted to organizing, synthesizing, and expanding knowledge on all forms of
trauma, abuse, and violence. Dedicated to professionals and advanced students, TVA is intended
to compile knowledge that clearly affects practice, policy, and research. Reviewed literatures
may come from the social or behavioral sciences or the law.

Sawmya Ray - Legal Constructions of Domestic Violence

This paper attempts to understand the existing laws on violence and their implementation
through an analysis of some court cases of domestic violence. It highlights the ways in which the
legal system in India constructs the issue of domestic violence. Although the Constitution of
India guarantees equal rights to women as individuals, women's access to justice has been
severely curtailed in the name of 'private' issues. Continuous struggles of women's groups have
led to several amendments to the existing laws and the introduction of new ones. Studies,
however, show that the implementation of the laws still remains partial and conservative, and
convictions in cases of domestic violence remain minimal.

Chris B. Geyerman - The NFL's "Violence Against Women Problem": Media Framing and The
Perpetuation of Domestic Abuse

Studies in Popular Culture is the refereed journal of the Popular Culture Association / American
Culture Association in the South. The editor invites the submission of articles dealing with any
aspect of American or international, contemporary or historical, popular culture. Studies in
Popular Culture is published biannually, with one issue appearing in the fall and one in the
spring. Formerly triannual, the journal has spun off what was its third issue to become the
Popular Culture Association in the South's second journal, Studies in American Culture. Studies
in Popular Culture publishes articles on popular culture however mediated: through film,
literature, radio, television, music, graphics, print, practices, associations, events--any of the
material or conceptual conditions of life. Its contributors, from the United States, Australia,
Canada, China, England, France, Israel, Scotland, and Spain, include distinguished
anthropologists, sociologists, cultural geographers, ethnomusicologists, historians, and scholars
in mass communications, philosophy, literature, and religion.

Duncan Wheeler : The Representation of Domestic Violence in Spanish CinemaVol. 107, No. 2
(April 2012), pp. 438-500

This article charts the historical relationship between art and reality in the depiction of domestic
violence in Spanish cinema. It begins with a discussion of the socio-historical background,
alongside a theoretical and empirical discussion of the connections between film and intimate
partner abuse. This background material grounds detailed readings of Solas (Benito Zambrano,
1999), Sólo mía (Javier Balaguer, 2001), and Te doy mis ojos (Iciar Bollaín, 2003). These case
studies widen the frame of debate, and help contextualize the final sections, which return to the
question of how screen representations and lived experiences have impacted on each other in
recent years.

CHAPTER 3: CONCEPT OF THE STUDY

Domestic violence is a complex and pervasive issue that affects individuals and families across
the globe. It refers to any form of abusive behavior, whether physical, emotional, psychological,
or sexual, that occurs within intimate relationships. This includes violence between spouses,
partners, parents, and children, as well as among other family members.

Understanding Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is not limited to any particular socioeconomic, cultural, or geographic group.
It can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, and it affects people of all ages, races, and
backgrounds. The consequences of domestic violence are far-reaching and can have severe
physical, emotional, and psychological impacts on the victims.

Types of violence against women

Domestic violence

Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, is any pattern of
behavior that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It
encompasses all physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological actions or threats of
actions that influence another person. This is one of the most common forms of violence
experienced by women globally.

Domestic violence can include the following.

Economic violence

Economic violence involves making or attempting to make a person financially dependent by

maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding access to money, and/or
forbidding attendance at school or employment.

Psychological violence

Psychological violence involves causing fear by intimidation; threatening physical harm to self,
partner or children; destruction of pets and property; “mind games”; or forcing isolation from
friends, family, school and/or work.

Emotional violence
Emotional violence includes undermining a person's sense of self-worth through constant
criticism; belittling one's abilities; name-calling or other verbal abuse; damaging a partner's
relationship with the children; or not letting a partner see friends and family.

Physical violence

Physical violence involves hurting or trying to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, burning,
grabbing, pinching, shoving, slapping, hair-pulling, biting, denying medical care or forcing
alcohol and/or drug use, or using other physical force. It may include property damage.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence involves forcing a partner to take part in a sex act when the partner does not
consent. See more about sexual violence below.

Femicide

Femicide refers to the intentional murder of women because they are women, but may be defined
more broadly to include any killings of women or girls. Femicide differs from male homicide in
specific ways. For example, most cases of femicide are committed by partners or ex-partners,
and involve ongoing abuse in the home, threats or intimidation, sexual violence or situations
where women have less power or fewer resources than their partner.

Honor killing

Honor killing is the murder of a family member, usually a woman or girl, for the purported
reason that the person has brought dishonor or shame upon the family. These killings often have
to do with sexual purity, and supposed transgressions on the part of female family members.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence is any sexual act committed against the will of another person, either when this
person does not give consent or when consent cannot be given because the person is a child, has
a mental disability, or is severely intoxicated or unconscious as a result of alcohol or drugs.

Sexual violence can include the following.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment encompasses non-consensual physical contact, like grabbing, pinching,

slapping, or rubbing against another person in a sexual way. It also includes non-physical forms,
such as catcalls, sexual comments about a person’s body or appearance, demands for sexual
favors, sexually suggestive staring, stalking, and exposing one’s sex organs.

Rape
Rape is any non-consensual vaginal, anal or oral penetration of another person with any bodily
part or object. This can be by any person known or unknown to the survivor, within marriage and
relationships, and during armed conflict.

Corrective rape

Corrective rape is a form of rape of perpetrated against someone on the basis of their sexual
orientation or gender identity. It is intended to force the victim to conform to heterosexuality or
normative gender identity.

Rape culture

Rape culture is the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalized and justified.
It is rooted in patriarchy and fueled by persistent gender inequalities and biases about gender and
sexuality.

Human trafficking

• Human traffickingHuman trafficking is the acquisition and exploitation of people,

through means such as force, fraud, coercion, or deception. This heinous crime ensnares
millions of women and girls worldwide, many of whom are sexually exploited. Female
genital mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedures that intentionally alter or cause injury to
the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is classified into four major types, and both
the practice and the motivations behind it vary from place to place. FGM is a social norm, often
considered a necessary step in preparing girls for adulthood and marriage and typically driven by
beliefs about gender and its relation to appropriate sexual expression. It was first classified as
violence in 1997 via a joint statement issued by WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA.

child marriage:

Child marriage refers to any marriage where one or both of the spouses are below the age of 18.
It is a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “marriage shall
be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.” Girls are more
likely to be child brides, and consequently drop out of school and experience other forms of
violence.

Online or digital violence

Online or digital violence against women refers to any act of violence that is committed, assisted
or aggravated by the use of information and communication technology (mobile phones, the
Internet, social media, computer games, text messaging, email, etc) against a woman because she
is a woman.

Online violence can include the following.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying involves the sending of intimidating or threatening messages.

Non-consensual sexting

Non-consensual sexting involves the sending of explicit messages or photos without the
recipient’s consent.

Doxing

Doxing involves the public release of private or identifying information about the victim.

Consequences and Impact:

The consequences of domestic violence can be devastating for victims and their families.
Physical injuries range from bruises and broken bones to more severe injuries that may result in
long-term disabilities or even death. The emotional and psychological impact can lead to anxiety,
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal thoughts.

Preventive measures of domestic violence:

Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. It can be
physical, emotional, or sexual, and it can have devastating consequences for victims and their
families.

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent domestic violence. These include:

• Educating people about domestic violence. This can help people to understand the signs and
symptoms of domestic violence, and to know what to do if they are experiencing it or know
someone who is.
• Promoting healthy relationships. This can help people to learn how to communicate effectively,
resolve conflict peacefully, and treat each other with respect.
• Providing support for victims of domestic violence. This can include things like shelters,
counseling, and legal assistance.
• Holding perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their actions. This can
help to deter others from committing domestic violence and to protect victims from
further harm.

CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:

Domestic violence is a serious problem that affects people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It
can take many forms, including physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and
financial control. Domestic violence can have a devastating impact on victims, both physically
and emotionally. It can also have a negative impact on children who witness domestic violence.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three women and
one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their
lifetime. In 2020, over 5.4 million intimate partner violence incidents were reported to the police.

Domestic violence can have a number of serious consequences for victims, including physical
injuries, chronic health problems, mental health problems, and financial difficultés. Domestic
violence can also lead to death. In 2020, over 7,800 people were killed by their intimate partners.

Children who witness domestic violence are at increased risk for a number of problems,
including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and behavioral problems. They are also more
likely to experience domestic violence in their own relationships as adults.

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent domestic violence. These include:

• Educating the public about domestic violence and its consequences

• Providing support services to victims of domestic violence
• Holding perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their actions

CHAPTER 5: SUGGESTIONS:
Domestic violence is a serious issue that can have devastating consequences for the victim, their
family, and their community. Here are some suggestions for dealing with domestic violence:

• If you are experiencing domestic violence, it is important to seek help immediately. You
can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit their website
at thehotline.org.
• You can also contact your local police department or a domestic violence shelter.
• If you are in immediate danger, call 911. Talk to someone you trust. This could be a
friend, family member, therapist, or religious leader.
• Join a support group. This can be a great way to connect with other people who are going
through similar experiences.
• Take care of yourself. This includes getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising
regularly.
• Develop a safety plan. This should include a list of people you can call for help, places
you can go if you need to leave your home, and a plan for how to escape from your
abuser.

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION:

Domestic violence is one of the most horrendous kinds of abuse suffered women in our society
today. The statistics show that 85 percent of domestic violence victims are female. Only 15
percent of victims are men. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, it does not matter the race,
creed, religion, or standing in society of the victim. If the issue of domestic violence is not dealt
with in a manner, which is sufficient, then this type of abuse will continue among all classes of
society with no ending. In order for us as a society to eradicate this horrendous type of abuse, we
need to stand together and make tougher laws, which will protect the victims of this abuse.
BIBILOGRAPHY:

o The Batterer's Profile: An In-Depth Look at Men Who Batter by Murray A. Straus
o Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men by Lundy
Bancroft
o The Body is Not an Apology: The Power to Reclaim Your Personal Space by Sonya
Renee Taylor
o I Will Survive: How to End an Abusive Relationship by Beverly Engel
o The Verbally Abusive Relationship: How to Recognize It and How to Respond by
Patricia Evans

Articles:

o Domestic Violence: What It Is and How to Get Help by the National Coalition Against
Domestic Violence
o The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children by the American Psychological
Association
o How to Help a Friend Who Is Being Abused by the National Domestic Violence Hotline
o The Cycle of Abuse by the National Center for Victims of Crime
o Safety Planning for Victims of Domestic Violence by the National Network to
End Domestic Violence