DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Many women are mentally and emotionally tortured by their family members

Domestic violence is a crime in which the woman or a girl is assaulted by an adult. It involves economical torture, physical torture, verbal abuse, sexual harassment. In order to have control over her. Stopping her from stepping out of the house. Even from having social connectivity, keeping the outside world discarded. 

The physical or mental suffering experienced by females is not always limited to domestic violence. As in, if she is not encouraged by parents to learn and not allows her to grow to be independent, also considered domestic violence.

It makes life feel meaningless and full of anxiety and depression when it comes to mental torture. Girls or women are mostly discriminated against by society and are not much privileged compared to men. With distinction to their position in religion and community.

According to the information, “In 2020, 1,477 domestic violence complaints were lodged by women between March 25 and May 31. More complaints than those received between March and May in the previous 10 years were recorded in this 68-day duration”.

Approximately 86 % who faced abuse never received help, and 77 % did not even mention anyone about the incidents. The report says that women who have been victims of both physical and sexual abuse seek slightly more help and support than those who are targeted to only a single type of violence.

The psychology behind the domestic violence

• When a person believes they are stopped from achieving their target, their frustration, is likely to turn to provocation.

• Thus, the aggression is seen as a subconscious reaction to frustration. Then the frustration is quite common to be imposed in the relationship.

• The willingness for authority, to hold the power in the relationship and believe a position of superiority, triggers violence.

• The abuser forcibly imposes power or ownership on the money, goods, and properties of victims when it comes to economic violence.

Laws and Acts against domestic violence

A) Protection of Women against Domestic Violence Act, 2005

This is an act passed by the Indian Parliament to protect women and girls from domestic abuse. A wide variety of physical, sexual, emotional & economic violence against women is prohibited and all of these are broadly defined by the Act. It provides protection for girls and women in a family from males in a family. The scope of the Act includes not only the security of women married to men, but also women living in marriages, as well as members of the family, including grandmothers, mothers, etc.

Under this Act, a woman has the right to be released from any form of abuse. Also, women can request protection against domestic violence, financial compensation, the right to live in their shared house and, if they live separately, they can obtain maintenance from their abuser.

 B) Section 498A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code)

This is a criminal statute that refers to husbands or spousal family members who are cruel to women. Under Section 498A of the IPC, abuse by the family members of the husband or husband is considered as a crime against Dowry. This abuse can be either physical or mental in any manner.

 C) Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

This is a penal law punishing Dowry for giving and taking. Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, the dowry practice itself is prohibited. According to this rule, they can be imprisoned for half a year (i.e. for 6 months) or they can be fined up to Five Thousand Rupees for giving, taking or even demanding dowry.

 Conclusion

Particularly in Lockdown, domestic violence initially increases bit by bit. It is one of the most disturbing kinds of abuse faced by women in our society today, and we are not seriously raising our voice against this harassment. All the laws are just left in the documents, and apart from this, the truth is different. We don't raise our voice seriously because we thought we were shielded, but we're wrong because regardless of the fact, religion, tradition, or caste, domestic violence can be suffered by anyone. 

If the matter of domestic violence is not fully resolved, this form of harassment will constantly continue to occur in all classes of society. So, as an Indian citizen and a younger generation, we need to stand together and make specific safeguards to prevent victims of domestic abuse.