Domestic Violence in India- Issues and Challenges

Domestic violence is violence or abusive behaviour which is used by one partner to control another partner in any relationship. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological or any pattern. For example, it may take the form of sexual assault psychological abuse or verbal abuse to anyone. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence not only affects those who are abused, but also affects family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses, and the community at large. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 2019-2021, 29.3% of married Indian women between the ages of 18 and 49 have experienced domestic or sexual violence in India. That is only the number of cases reported by women, there are frequently many more that never make it to the police. According to NFHS data, 87% of married women are victims of marital violence. The National Commission for Women said in 2020-21, it received 26,513 complaints from women, an increase of 25.09%, compared with the 20,309 complaints registered in 2019-20. The Indian legal system has formed Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code according to the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983 (46 of 1983), especially for dealing with domestic violence. 498A IPC states that “Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty. —Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to a fine. Sec 498A IPC is cognizable, non-compoundable and non-bail able. Even though the law provides for the security of women, there is a big loophole; a lack of awareness among the victims, most of whom do not know that they have the option to approach the law. In this paper, the researchers have tried to explore the issue and challenges for stopping domestic violence in India.