Do you feel uncomfortable at your house because of someone from your family? Do they treat you harshly, or do they not give you enough recognition in the family? Do you feel unsafe with your family or in your house? These are some of the signs of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a sequence of behaviours in any relationship showing that one person has power over another. These behaviours include intimidating, manipulating, humiliating, scarring or wounding the victim. Domestic violence can be physical, mental, emotional, economic, sexual, stalking, or harassment. Most domestic violence incidents are frequent and can increase in severity. It can lead to severe injuries and can lead to death.

What is The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005?

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is an act to protect women from domestic abuse inflicted on them. It covers injury or endangerment to health, safety, life, limb or well‑being. The abuse can be either mental or physical violence. It also includes any harm done to the woman or anyone related to her to fulfil the illegal demands like dowry. This violence can be inflicted by her husband or in-laws. The act also includes the violence inflicted by the woman’s father, brother, mother or any other family member related by blood or through adoption. It also covers domestic violence in a live-in relationship.

Which abuses are included under this act?

The Act includes any injuries or harm, mental or physical, to the victim. It can be:

1. Physical Abuse: Any acts like hitting, biting, slapping, battering, shoving, punching, pulling hair, burning, cutting, pinching, etc. that can cause harm, pain or danger to a victim's life, are included in physical abuse. Denying medical treatment and forcing drug or alcohol use on someone are also included in this.
2. Sexual Abuse: Any attempt to pressurise the victim into having sexual contact or sexual behaviour without the victim’s consent. It includes marital rape, attacking sexual body parts, physical violence that is followed by forcing sex, sexually demeaning the victim, or even telling sexual jokes at the victim's expense.
3. Verbal and Emotional Abuse: Any acts of disapproving or deflating the victim’s self-worth and self-esteem are included in this. It takes the form of insults, ridicule, humiliation, name-calling, threats, etc. Ridicule caused due to not having a child or a male child is also included in this. Emotional abuse also includes the isolation of victims by stopping them from attending school and working.
4. Economic Abuse: Any act of trying to make the victim financially dependent is economic abuse. In this, the abuser tries to control financial resources, withhold the victim’s access to funds, demand dowry, not provide money for you and your children’s maintenance; not provide for basic necessities of your children; not allow you to take a job; prohibit you from accepting a job; restrict you from using or entering any particular portion of the house; stopping you from using the usual clothes or things, and not paying house rent.

Who to approach for help?

If you are a victim of any of the behaviours mentioned above, then you must stand up for yourself and seek protection. You can approach the following personnel for help against domestic violence:

1. Protection Officer: Protection officers are appointed to assist the magistrate and victim during a domestic violence case. Their work includes guiding victims through legal proceedings, the reliefs the victim can get, getting the medical tests done, sending the reports to a concerned police station, reporting the statements of the victim and other developments to the magistrate and arranging shelter home in case of need. Mostly, women are appointed as protection officers. You can get the contact information of a protection officer on the internet.
2. Police Stations Near You: You can approach any police station near you. They will register a First Information Report (FIR) or Domestic Incident Report (DIR). If required, they will guide the victim to the protection officer. The police will also explain the legal process to the victim.
3. Magistrate: If required, you can directly approach the magistrate to file a grievance against domestic violence. They will contact the protection officer in the area, who will help you go through the process properly.
4. NGO: You can also approach NGOs in your area for shelter and counselling. If you want to report the abuse, the NGO will guide you through the legal options available. They will also help you get in contact with the protection officer in your area.
5. National Commission for Women (NCW): NCW was created to investigate complaints related to dowry harassment, domestic violence or sexual assault. They also monitor and accelerate investigations led by local police, provide counselling and medical help, try to resolve disputes without going to court, examine victims and submit a report regarding the complaint. You can approach them on their online portal or contact them through the helpline number (+91 7827170170).

Be strong and stand up against domestic violence. The government has created an act to protect women against domestic violence and has included all types of abuses that can be inflicted on a victim. Also, special provision officers and the National Commission for Women are appointed to make the process easier and more effective. Gather the evidence to make sure you have a strong case. Check the list of documents you should keep handy, which will help you during the legal battle against domestic violence.

Steps to Take While Handling Domestic Violence