Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Global Responses to Domestic Violence pp 243–263Cite as

Domestic Violence in India: A Decadal Shift in State-Society Paradigms

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 1989 Accesses

Abstract

In India, domestic violence is seen as a private family matter, and handled as a social responsibility. The discourse on domestic violence has steadily moved into the legal/institutional domain from private family affairs through the passage of time and enforcement of criminal and civil laws.While women-centric laws and institutional framework for justice are on the rise, cultural lag creates a dilemma. Despite the Domestic Violence Act implemented in 2006, the widespread phenomenon of domestic violence across Indian states goes unreported. It is the most common cause of non-fatal injury to women, who suffer, blame themselves, and choose not to report it. The conflict will exist until structural relations and the patriarchal nature of the society are redefined. The objective of the chapter is to enable readers with an understanding ofthe complex phenomenon, by contextualizing the issues revolving around society and state. Initial section of the chapter provides an overview based on review of important literature on problems regarding society, legislature, and policy initiatives on domestic violence in India. Further, it elaborates upon the introduction of the concept of Family Counselling Centres, a radical change in regulatory institutional mechanisms. Finally, it concludes with recommendation of a collaborative framework with multipronged approach that engages non-governmental organizations, police, judiciary, healthcare systems and community.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ansara, D. L., & Hindin, M. J. (2010). Formal and informal help-seeking associated with women’s and men’s experiences of intimate partner violence in Canada. Social Science Medicine, 70(7), 1011–1018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatla, N., & Rajan, A. (2003). Private concerns in public discourse: Women-initiated community responses to domestic violence. Economic and Political Weekly, 38(17), 1658–1664.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlus, A. J., & Seitz, S. (2006). Domestic violence, employment, and divorce. International Economic Review, 47(11), 43–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle, M. H., et al. (2009). Community influences on intimate partner violence in India: Women’s education, attitudes towards mistreatment and standards of living. Social Science and Medicine, 69(5), 691–697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • British Medical Association (BMA). (1998). Domestic violence: A health care issue? London: The Chameleon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bui, H. N. (2003). Help-seeking behavior among abused immigrant women. Violence Against Women, 9(2), 207–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, R., Casique, I., & Brindis, C. D. (2008). Empowerment and physical violence throughout women’s reproductive life in Mexico. Violence Against Women, 14(6), 655–677.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denzin, N. K. (1984). Toward a phenomenology of domestic, family violence. American Journal of Sociology, 90(3), 483–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. (1979). Violence against Wives. New York: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duvvury, N., Nayak, M., & Allendorf, K. (2002). Domestic violence in India 4: Exploring strategies, promoting dialogue. In Men masculinities and domestic violence in India: Summary report of four studies. Washington, DC: International Centre for Research on Women.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fugate, M., Landis, L., Riordan, K., Naureckas, S., & Engel, B. (2005). Barriers to domestic violence help seeking. Violence Against Women, 11, 290–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gantra, B. R., Coyaji, K. J., & Rao, V. N. (1998). Too far, too little, too late: A community based case-control study of maternal mortality in rural west Maharashtra. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 76, 591–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Moreno, C., Heise, L., Jansen, H. A., Ellsberg, M., & Watts, C. (2005). Public health: Violence against women. Science, 310, 1282–1283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garcia-Moreno, C., Jansen, H. A., Ellsberg, M., Heise, L., & Watts, C. H. (2006). Prevalence of intimate partner violence: Findings from the WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence. Lancet, 368(9543), 1260–1269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gissler, M., Berg, C., Bouvier-Colle, M. H., & Buekens, P. (2005). Injury deaths, suicides and homicides associated with pregnancy, Finland 1987–2000. European Journal of Public Health, 15(5), 459–463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamby, S. L., & Gray-Little, B. (2007). Can battered women cope? A critical analysis of research on women’s responses to violence. In K. Kendall-Tackett & S. Giacomoni (Eds.), Intimate partner violence (pp. 28-1–28-15). Kingston, NJ: Civic Research Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan, F., Sadowski, L. S., Bangdiwala, S. I., Vizcarra, B., Ramiro, L., & De Paula, C. S. (2004). Physical intimate partner violence in Chile, Egypt, India and the Philippines. Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 11, 111–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindin, M. J., & Adair, L. S. (2002). Who’s at risk? Factors associated with intimate partner violence in the Philippines. Social Science & Medicine, 55, 1385–1399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ICMR. (2009). Task force project: A study of health consequences of domestic violence particularly focusing on reproductive health. Report. ICMR: New Delhi, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICRW. (2000). International Centre for Research on Women. Domestic violence in India: A summary report of multi-site household survey on domestic violence (Vol. 3). New Delhi, India: ICRW.

    Google Scholar 

  • ICRW. (2005). Development Initiative on Supporting Healthy Adolescents (DISHA) Project. Analysis of quantitative baseline survey data collected in select sites in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, India. Survey conducted in 2004. New Delhi, India: ICRW.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Clinical Epidemiological Network (ICEN). (2000). Domestic violence in India: A summary report of a multi-site household survey. Washington, DC: International Centre for Research on Women and the Centre for Development and Population Activities.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Institute for Population Sciences. (2007). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), 2005–2006: India. Mumbai, India: International Institute of Population Sciences, Macro International.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS). (2000). National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2), 1998–99 India. Mumbai: International Institute of Population Sciences- Macro International.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeebhoy, S. J. (1998). Associations between wife-beating and fetal and infant death: Impressions from a survey in rural India. Studies in Family Planning, 29, 300–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jejeebhoy, S. J., & Cook, R. J. (1997). State accountability for wife-beating: The Indian challenge. Lancet, 349, sI10–sI12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jeyaseelan, L., Kumar, S., Neelakantan, N., Peedicayil, A., Pillai, R., & Duvvury, N. (2007). Physical spousal violence against women in India: Some risk factors. Journal of Biosocial Science, 39, 657–670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kabeer, N. (2001). Reflections on the measurement of women’s empowerment. In Discussing women’s empowerment-theory and practice, Sida Studies No. 3. Novum Grafiska, AB: Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kajsa, A.-M., Rodolfo, P., Mary, C. E., & Lars, A. P. (2003). Violence against women increases the risk of infant and child mortality: A case-referent study in Nicaragua. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 81(1), 10–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapur, A., Muttoo, S., & Bisht, S. (2004). From thought to action: Building strategies on violence against women. New Delhi, India: Kirti – a Development Research, Praxis & Communication Team.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klomegah, R. Y. (2008). Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Zambia: An examination of risk factors and gender perceptions. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 39, 557–569.

    Google Scholar 

  • Klostermann, K. C. (2006). Substance abuse and intimate partner violence: Treatment considerations. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 1, 24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krishnan, S. (2005). Do structural inequalities contribute to marital violence? Ethnographic evidence from rural South India. Violence Against Women, 11, 759–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumari, R. (1989). Brides are not for burning: Dowry victims in India. New Delhi, India: Radiant.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magen, R. H., Conroy, K., Hess, P. M., Panciera, A., & Simon, B. L. (2001). Identifying domestic violence during child abuse and neglect investigations. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 16(6), 580–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M., Gupta, R. N., Kundu, A. S., Gupta, V. K., et al. (2011). Domestic violence during pregnancy in India. J Interpersonal Violence, 26(15), 2973–2990.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M., Gupta, R. N., & Gupta, V. K. (2012a). Risk factor of domestic violence in India. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 37(3), 153–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M., Gupta, R. N., Kundu, A. S., & Gupta, V. K. (2012b). Interpersonal violence as risk factor for women’s sexually transmitted infection and reproductive health consequences in India: a community based study. Journal of Public Health, 20(4), 399–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro M. (2014). Mainstreaming gender: A policy shift. Vision. Sage Publication. 18(4), 309–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M. (2016a). Does women’s empowerment increase accessibility to healthcare among women facing domestic violence? Development in Practice, 26(8), 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M. (2016b). Impact of behavioral intervention package on the health status of married abused pregnant women attending antenatal clinic of LN hospital, New Delhi- A randomized controlled trial. Report. New Delhi, India: NIHFW.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahapatro, M., Gupta, R. N., & Gupta, V. K. (2014). Control and support models of help-seeking behavior in women experiencing domestic violence in India. Violence and Victims, 29(3), 464–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, S. L., Tsui, A. O., Maitra, K., & Marinshaw, R. (1999). Domestic violence in northern India. American Journal of Epidemiology, 150, 417–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meerambika, M., Prasad, S., & Dhar, N. (2016). The impact of behavioural intervention package on abused pregnant women attending ANC in LN hospital, New Delhi—A Randomized Controlled Trial Report. National Institute of Health and Family Welfare: New Delhi.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Commission for Women (NCW) India. (2008). Domestic violence bill. New Delhi, India: Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Crime Records Bureau. (2008). Crime in India-2007. In New Delhi, India: National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs. New Delhi, India: Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Crime Records Bureau. (2012). Crime in India. Compendium. Ministry of Home Affairs. Government of India: New Delhi, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • NIPCCD. (2011). Family counselling centres: A study. Lucknow: National Institute of Public Cooperation & Child Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oxfam International. (2004). Towards ending violence against women in South Asia (Oxfam Briefing Paper, Series 60). Oxford, UK: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panchanadeswaran, S., & Koverola, C. (2005). The voices of battered women in India. Violence Against Women, 11, 736–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poonacha, V., & Pandey, D. (2000). Responses to domestic violence: Government and nongovernment action in Karnataka and Gujarat. Economic and Political Weekly, 35(7), 566–574.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purwar, M. B., Jeyaseelan, L., Varhadpande, U., Motghare, V., & Pimplakute, S. (2005). Survey of physical abuse during pregnancy. Nagpur, India: GMCH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao, V. (1997). Wife-beating in rural South India: A qualitative and econometric analysis. Social Science Medicine, 44, 1169–1180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rastogi, M., & Paul, T. (2006). Dowry and its link to violence against women in India: Feminist psychological perspectives. Trauma Violence Abuse, 7(1), 66–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reardon, D. C., Ney, P. G., Scheuren, F., Cougle, J., Coleman, P. K., & Strahan, T. W. (2002). Deaths associated with pregnancy outcome: A record linkage study of low income women. Southern Medical Journal, 95, 834–841.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ritchie, A. J. (2006). Law enforcement violence against women of color. In Color of violence: The incite! Anthology, women of color against violence (pp. 138–156). Cambridge, MA: South End Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santhanam, K. (2002a). Decrying domestic violence. The Hindu, 22 April.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santhanam, K. (2002b, April 22). Decrying domestic violence. The Hindu, Metro Plus Chennai. Retrieved from http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/04/22/stories/2002042200070100.htm

  • Stalans, L. J., & Finn, M. A. (2006). Public’s and police officers’ interpretation and handling of domestic violence cases: Divergent realities. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21(9), 1129–1155. Stith et al., 2002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, R., Koenig, M. A., & Ahmed, S. (2006). Domestic violence and symptoms of gynecologic morbidity among women in North India. International Family Plan Perspective, 32, 201–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sulik, G. A. (2007). The balancing act: Care work for the self and coping with breast cancer. Gender & Society, 21, 857–877.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suneetha, A., & Negaraj, V. (2006). A difficult match: Women’s actions and legal institutions in the face of domestic violence. Economic and Political Weekly, 41(41), 4355–4362.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suran, L., Amin, S., Huq, L., & Chowdury, K. (2004). Does dowry improve life for brides? A test of the bequest theory of dowry in rural Bangladesh, Policy Research Division Working Papers No. 195 (p. 21). New York: Population Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Gazette of India. (2005). The protection of women from Domestic Violence Act, No. 43 of 2005. Ministry of Law and Justice. New Delhi: Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Gazette of India. (2013). The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013. New Delhi, India: Government of India.

    Google Scholar 

  • UN Women. (2011). Domestic violence legislation and its implementation. An analysis for Asean countries based on international standards and good practices. Bangkok: East and Southeast Arsia Regional Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNICEF. (2000). Domestic violence against women and girls. No. 6. UNICEF: Innocenti Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Varkey, P., Kureshi, S., & Lesnick, T. (2010). Empowerment of women and its association with the health of the community. Journal of Women's Health (Larchmt), 19(1), 71–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visaria, L. (2000). Violence against women: A field study. Economic and Political Weekly, 35, 1742–1751.

    Google Scholar 

  • Women’s Project in Nagpur India. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.cnvc.org/en/about-us/projects/cnvc-projects-overview

  • World Health Organization. (2000). Violence against women (Chapter 6). In Women in South East Asia- A health profile (pp. 147–157). WHO Regional Office for South East Asia: New Delhi, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2005). WHO multi-country study on women’s health and domestic violence against women: initial results on prevalence, health outcomes and women’s responses. Geneva: WHO.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi, India

    Meerambika Mahapatro

Authors
  1. Meerambika Mahapatro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Meerambika Mahapatro .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Massachusetts – Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

    Eve S. Buzawa

  2. Textron Systems Corporation, Bonita Springs, Florida, USA

    Carl G. Buzawa

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mahapatro, M. (2017). Domestic Violence in India: A Decadal Shift in State-Society Paradigms. In: Buzawa, E., Buzawa, C. (eds) Global Responses to Domestic Violence. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56721-1_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56721-1_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-56719-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-56721-1

  • eBook Packages: Law and CriminologyLaw and Criminology (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation