Study of Domestic Violence against Married Women in Western Maharashtra of India

Abstract

Violence within home is comprehensive across the culture, religion, class and ethnicity. Despite this widespread presence, it has remained poorly acknowledged and concealed. Its ramifications are more complex and its intensity, much greater in India. Domestic violence includes physical, sexual, psychological insults/ assaults, and economic control. Though violence against women is well understood, research on domestic violence is quite a new trend in India. Many studies undertaken during 1980s-1990s have underreporting of domestic violence. Aim: To study the magnitude of domestic violence against married women. Objectives: To find out the prevalence of domestic violence against married women, types of domestic violence and perpetrators of violence at domestic level. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, qualitative study was conducted in rural and urban field practice areas of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Karad, Maharashtra, India. All married women of age 15-49 years, from each household were selected, agreeing voluntarily to participate in this study. A total 455 of women could be interviewed. Data Collection: The data was collected by using Semi-structured questionnaires. Questions were posed to get their experience to a specific act of violence during their life time as well as during last twelve months. The data was analysed by using SPSS Version 20. Results: The lifetime prevalence of overall violence in urban respondents was 68.7% and in rural respondents 59.3%. Most common lifetime violence observed was psychosocial and economical followed by physical violence & least common was sexual violence. Husbands and mothers in law were commonly reported as perpetrators. Considering the observations of the study, it is recommended that, there is a need to bring about the attitudinal change among the women to be aware of their rights and live with dignity with respect.