What Is Violence?
Violence, in any form, represents a serious violation of human rights and a major public health
concern. The United Nations defines violence against women 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, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies violence against women, especially intimate
partner violence and sexual violence, as global problems. Around 1 in 3 women worldwide have
been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence, most often by an intimate partner. This
violence not only causes physical harm but deeply affects women’s mental, reproductive, and
emotional health.
Violence is not merely a single act,it is a pattern of behaviour aimed at asserting power and
control over another person. It may occur through physical, emotional, economic, or
psychological means, and can manifest across all social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, refers to a pattern of
behaviour in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain control over an intimate partner.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) legally defines
domestic violence as any act, omission, or conduct that harms, injures, or endangers the
physical, mental, or emotional well-being of the aggrieved person.
According to Section 3 of the PWDVA, domestic violence includes:
• Physical abuse – any act causing bodily pain, harm, or danger to life or health, including
assault and criminal intimidation.
• Sexual abuse – conduct of a sexual nature that abuses, humiliates, degrades, or violates
the dignity of a woman.
• Verbal and emotional abuse – humiliation, insults, ridicule, or repeated threats to cause
harm.
• Economic abuse – deprivation of financial resources, disposal of property, or restriction
on access to shared household and necessities.
The Act recognizes that violence is not confined to physical harm ; it can be subtle,
psychological, and deeply rooted in power imbalance.
Types of Domestic Violence
The following categories reflect how abuse manifests in intimate and family relationships. The
Power and Control Wheel (developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN)
visually captures the interconnected forms of abuse.
Type of Violence Description Examples
Physical Violence The use of physical force Hitting, slapping, burning,
causing bodily harm or pain choking, pushing, throwing
objects.
Emotional/Psychological Acts that cause mental trauma Humiliation, threats, insults,
Violence or emotional distress. constant criticism, isolation
from friends/family.
Sexual Violence Any sexual act performed Forced intercourse, sexual
without consent harassment, unwanted
touching.
Economic/Financial Controlling access to Withholding money, denying
Violence financial resources or right to work, taking away
employment. salary, restricting spending.
Verbal Violence Use of abusive or demeaning Shouting, name-calling,
language. verbal threats, character
assassination.
Digital Violence Use of technology to harass Online stalking, sharing
or abuse private photos, abusive
messages, monitoring through
devices.
Causes of Violence
Violence does not arise in isolation; it is deeply rooted in social, economic, psychological, and
cultural factors that shape human behaviour and relationships.
• One of the major causes is the patriarchal mindset, where society often views men as
dominant and women as subordinate. This perception of superiority fuels the idea of
control, entitlement, and ownership, which can lead to abuse when women challenge
these traditional roles.
• Lack of awareness and education is another significant factor. Many individuals, both
perpetrators and victims, may not even recognize certain behaviours as violent or abusive
due to social conditioning or limited exposure to information about rights and gender
equality.
• Economic dependency also plays a crucial role. When one partner, usually the woman,
is financially dependent on the abuser, it reduces her ability to leave the relationship or
seek help, perpetuating a cycle of control and victimization.
• Substance abuse, especially alcohol and drugs, often acts as a catalyst for violent
outbursts. It lowers self-control, increases aggression, and can escalate minor conflicts
into physical or verbal assaults.
• In many communities, cultural and social acceptance of violence adds to the problem.
Domestic abuse is often dismissed as a “private matter,” making it difficult for victims to
seek external help or justice.
• Additionally, ineffective law enforcement and delayed justice systems discourage
victims from reporting cases. When perpetrators go unpunished, it emboldens others to
continue similar behaviour.
• Finally, stress and unemployment can lead to frustration and feelings of helplessness,
which sometimes manifest as aggression towards family members.
In short, domestic violence stems from a combination of societal attitudes, power imbalances,
and systemic failures , making it essential to address these causes through awareness, education,
and enforcement of protective laws like the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
(PWDVA), 2005.
Bibliography
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Government of India.
• United Nations. “What Is Domestic Abuse?” UN Website.
[Link]
• World Health Organization. “Violence against women: Key facts.”
[Link]