DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Definition

Domestic violence covers injury suffered by family members as a result of the action of someone in the family. It is not confined only to bodily injury, it involves damage to property as well.

Domestic violence is common nowadays. It is an old subject and has happened all the times since time immemorial. Today the changes to our value system causes society to become more materialistic and people tend to overlook other aspects of life like cultivation of the inner self and practice of love and patience. Family life can only improve if we take time and effort to nurture it. Nothing comes without effort.

The absence of a spouse who is the breadwinner of the family, when one spouse neglects the well being of the family, the creation of fear in the mind of a victim can all be considered instance of domestic violence. A victim’s fear of the culprit is enough to constitute domestic violence. A drunken husband is also considered violent if he always comes back in irregular hours and yells and shouts at his wife.

This offence can be committed by any person, male or female in the family. A divorced husband also is considered as member of the family. The violence and injury need not be directed against a wife only. It could affect a child of someone who is disabled either mentally or physically. The law also protects other members of the family like brothers and sisters or relatives. Should there be any ambiguity, the Court will decide whether a person is considered member of the family.

Law on domestic violence

An Act of Parliament concerning domestic violence provides that if a person is injured by someone in the family, he/she can apply to the Court to arrest the culprit who may be jailed as a form of punishment. The person who causes injury must be isolated so that the victim will not be subjected to further harm.

Unfortunately a person who commits an act of domestic violence very often turns out to be a male. The women are usually the victims of domestic violence. It is necessary for the government to provide sufficient protection to the victims of domestic violence to ensure harmony in the home.

Causes of domestic violence (D.V.)

According to an Annual Review of the Women’s Aid Organization (WAO) dated 1999, the following are answers obtained from victims about the triggering factor of D.V. The WAO wishes to emphasize that the following are not necessarily the true causes of violence, but merely situations and circumstances sometimes used as excuses for beating one’s wife or girl friend.
Factors D.V. cases only

Jealousy 28
Social 19
In-law 16
Alcohol 15
Another woman 13
Insufficient money 10
None(no specific answer given) 10
Husband demanding money 8
Debts 5
Gambling 5
Sexual 5
Drugs 2