I. What is Domestic Violence: Violence against women can occur either within their households or outside. Family is considered the safest place for its members, but this illusion has been proved wrong by the experiences of women who face the threat of violence in their own homes. The term 'domestic violence' refers to destructive acts which cause physical injury or harm to a woman in her household. The term domestic violence is generally used to refer to physical abuse, but it should also include deprivatins, which members of a family may experience, through not necessarily physical abuse. Look at this example, and you will understand what I am trying to convey. A daughter who is not sent to school and forcibly confined to domestic work or denied nutritious food, while sons receive the best of food, best of education and all other facilities for development. In the above instance, there may be no physical abuse involved, but the fact that a girl child is prevented from enjoying the rights conferred on her is also a form of violence. 

II. Some examples of Domestic Violence and efforts or steps to check it:

(a) It is shocking but true that about 30 per cent of the crimes against women are committed within the household. Domestic violence includes such acts as wife battering, subjecting daughters to physical abuse, harassment for dowry, which may result in dowry death and forcibly confining women to the house. Domestic violence is surrounded by a culture of silence because, what goes on inside. The home is generally considered 'private'.

(b) Even when women are being assaulted or tortured in their homes, the neighbourhood's attitude is generally one of disinterestedness or non-interference in someone else's personal life. On many occasions, even the police treat causes of domestic violence as personal quarrels and fail or even refuse to take action. It is only when continued victimization results in murder, suicide or grievous physical injury that society wakes up. But by then the damage is already done. 

(c) Look at this case of Asha, who was being subjected to physical harassment every day by her parents-in-law, husband and his sisters. The cause for this ill treatment was dowry demand. The neighbours were fully aware of what was happening to Asha, but they did not interfere or inform the police. One night, Asha was set on fire and it was only when her screams were heard that the neighbourhood chose to act. By the time the police and Asha's parents came on the scene. Asha had sustained burns all over her body and lay unconscious. They had arrived too late. Asha's parents were inconsolable. They felt extremely guilty that whenever their daughter pleaded with them to take her away from this oppressive family atmosphere, they had convinced her that a wife's place was in her husband's home and that matters would settle soon. The case of Asha is not an isolated incident. Scores of women have fallen prey to domestic violence and yet, physical and mental abuse of women in their conjugal/marital families continues unchecked.

(d) In most families men and women do not enjoy the same amount of power. This is the single most important cause of domestic violence. Even when women, who are economically self-sufficient are not free to make independent decisions, one can imagine the situations of women who are dependent on their husbands. It is socially acceptable that within the household, the male is the master and the woman, the subordinate partner. Often, social pressures force women to tolerate abuse in order to safeguard family honour. It is also true that support services for women, such as shelter homes, or security centres are very few and hence women find it difficult to escape from an oppressive family atmosphere. With little support either from within or outside their family circles domestic violence remains a major threat to women. 

III. Suggestion to check or reduce domestic violence:

1. First and foremost, cases of domestic abuse must be treated as crimes against women and not as a 'personal matter' between the residents of the household.

2. Women must learn to bring the existence of violence to the notice of their parents, friends, women's organizations and the police. 

3. Tolerating violence in the name of safeguarding family honour will not help matters, but will only aggravate the situation.

4. The law enforcing agencies must play an activities' role in countering cases of domestic violence.

5. Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code was introduced with the intention of preventing harassment of married women for dowry.

6. However, provisions under the Act can be applied in situations of domestic violence and marital cruelty as well.

7. There is no specific law to deal with domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Prevention Bill is still waiting to be cleared by the Parliament.

8. What is needed is the will to apply the provisions of the existing law to cases of domestic violence and punish the guilty.