The ubiquity of domestic violence (DV) can be gauged from the fact that it has been documented in different cultures and societies all over the world. There is growing awareness that DV is a global phenomenon and is a serious issue in developing countries as well. Nevertheless, DV shows particular forms and patterns depending on the local context and recognized as an important public health problem.
Despite the range of abuse, it is the most common cause of nonfatal injury to women, who suffer, blame themselves, and choose not to report it. In fact, often rationalize and internalized the abuse by believing that the act was provoked by the women, therefore, justify and accept it as their fate, to continue living with it. The substantial consequence for women's physical, mental and reproductive health and ultimately the risk of death from DV is also reported to be high, which is committed by a spouse or partner. Various studies from South Asian countries on DV have identified a number of associated individual and household level risk factors which shows that certain demographic factors such as age, number of living male children and living in extended family have an association with DV.
Among the protective factors identified in developing countries are higher socio-economic status, women's economic independence, quality of marital relationships and higher levels of education among women. The risk of spousal violence against women is globally known to be higher among women who are younger, have a lower household income, less educated, belonging to lower caste, nonworking women, partner who drinks/bets etc. However, the issue of DV and its underlying social determinants of DV in developing countries remain limited especially in the context of India. Source: India J. Community Med. 2012 JulSep; 37(3): 153-157.
In which part of the world domestic violence is confined?
