Mr. V.K Anil
Computer Teacher, Vidyasthali School

Violence against women and girls continues to be a global epidemic that kills tortures and maims physically, psychologically, sexually and economically. It is found in every country, cutting across boundaries of culture, class, education, income, ethnicity and age. Even though most societies proscribe violence against women, the reality is that violations against women’s human rights are often sanctioned under the garb of cultural practice and norms or through misinterpretation of religious tenets. Moreover, when the violation takes place within the home, the secured place for women, as is very often the case, the abuse is effectively condoned by the tacit silence and the passivity displayed by
the state and the law enforcing machinery. Unfortunately, the global dimensions of this violence are alarming, as highlighted by studies on its incidence and prevalence but no society can claim to be free of such violence, the only variation is in the patterns and trends that exist in countries and regions. The trend of violence against women was recently highlighted by India’s National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) which stated that while in 2000, an average of 125 women faced domestic violence every day, the figure stood at 160 in 2005. Domestic violence is described as violence consisting of physical, sexual, psy- chological, verbal and emotional abuse. A wide range of aggressive behaviors are examples of abuse including hitting, forced sexual intercourse, harassment, extreme possessiveness, isolating the woman from her family and friends, withholding financial resources, physical damage to her body and murder. Domestic violence affects both men and women; however, women are more commonly the victims of domestic violence.
It may mostly result due to factors such as dowry, low educational status, suspicion and infidelity. Shubakumar et al. (2005) concluded that among 9938 subjects, 40% of Indian women have experienced some sort of spousal violence during their marital life and that has led to poor mental health. An analysis of NFHS – III 2005 – 2006 data (among 3836 women) in Tamil Nadu, Audinarayana (2011) reported that spousal physical violence is 42% among the age group of 30-49 years residing in rural areas who lack education and belong to the Hindu and Christianity religious groups and, 165% in terms of emotional violence. Bontha and Shantanu (2009) have observed from a study in Eastern
India that among 1753 samples (married women) 21.1% in Jharkhand, 14.6% in West Bengal and 13.2% in Orissa face physical violence, while, 32.4% in Orissa, 19.7% in West
Bengal and 27.4% in Jharkhand have experienced sexual violence, whereas, more than half of the women in all the above mentioned states were subjected to psychological violence. A significant relationship of domestic violence was observed with deviant behavior of the husband like drug addiction, habitual gambling and practice of visiting Commercial Sex Workers besides addiction to alcohol. Audinarayana (2011) reported that partner’s frequency of alcohol consumption and the father ever beat mother are
the most significant factors influencing physical and emotional violence at a greater level. Interestingly it is noted that the leading social risk factors of domestic violence perceived and reported by the affected women (110) age ranges from (26 – 30 years), are alcohol addiction and other factors were poverty, son preference, dowry conflict and illicit relationship of husband with other women (Mitra 2006). Another study by Koenig et.al (2006) after examining 4520 subjects concluded that the women from high socioeconomic
status were found to be quite protected against physical but not sexual violence which is due to the household economic pressure, childlessness and husband’s extra-marital relationships lated to the sexual violence. Further, he also added that in rural Uganda by 2003, among 5109 women, the factors that have strengthened physical violence were the denial of a woman towards sex, household chores, disobedience toward spouse and family elders, adoption of contraception
without the partners’ permission and woman’s argument over money. The foregoing literature indicates that most of the studies conducted in the past have focused on either regions of India like, east, west, north and south with small sample sizes, which generally reflect the micro level understanding of this phenomenon. Against this backdrop, the present paper attempts to highlight the magnitude of domestic violence, types and the help seeking behavior at national (macro) level.

Types of Violence and Abuse
Violence and abuse are best understood as a pattern of behaviour intended to establish power and maintain control over family, household members, intimate partners, colleagues or groups. The roots of all forms of violence and abuse are founded in the many types of inequality which continue to exist and grow in our society.
Violence and abuse may occur only once, it can involve various tactics of subtle manipulation or it may occur frequently while escalating over a period of months or years. In any form, violence and abuse profoundly affect individual health and well-being.
• Physical Violence
• Sexual Violence
• Emotional Violence
• Psychological Violence
• Spiritual Violence
• Cultural Violence