Domestic Violence Against Women: Indian Scenario

S. Daga, M. D.

Associate Professor of Preventive and Social Medicine, Grant Medical College, Mumbai – 400008. (India)
Tel : (022) 3755431. E-mail : achladaga@yahoo.com

Domestic violence is gender – based violence that results in physical, sexual or psychological harm, suffering including threats . -UNO 1993

It is usually perpetrated by person in intimate family relationship, predominantly by male on his female sexual partner.

In the industrialized world one in every five healthy years of life of women aged 15 to 44 is taken away by domestic violence.

- World development report 1993.

However, adequate data are not available for developing countries.

Aims : To study demographic and clinical characteristics of cases of domestic violence admitted in a major public hospital of Mumbai.

Design : A retrospective data analysis (for the year 1996).

Material and Methods :

Data from police registers maintained in casualty department were analysed
Demographic characteristics of cases reported were studied.
Injuries were classified as definitely, possibly, unlikely and definitely not related to domestic violence.

Conclusions :

Domestic violence is a serious but still invisible public health issue in developing countries.
Our study has limitations in having no denominator and merely scratches the surface. It can pave way for more detailed studies on this subject.

What needs to be done in developing countries :

Studies on prevalence, risk and protective factors and health consequences are needed.
Basic support system needs to be established which should include :
Immediate medical assistance
Counselling
Shelter and emotional support
Reference to medical social worker and women’s organization
Legislations and legal aid cells

Important Observations

Classification of casualty attendance, number and (percent)

Assault 332 (44.6)

Falls 67 (9.0)

Burns 79 (10.6)

Poisoning 112 (15.0)

Accidents 155 (20.8)

I Classification of domestic violence status, number and (percent).

Definite 167 (22.4)

Possible 330 (44.3)

Unlikely 67 (9.0)

Definitely not 181 (24.3)

Age and time of domestic violence

80% of definite and possible cases of violence and 80% of attempted suicides in 15-39 years of age.
Falls were reported more in older women.

Mode of injury

Beating and Kicking 34%

Assault with stick, rod 23%

Consumption of poison 28%

Sharp objects used 16%

Site of injury

Head and face 55%
Chest, back, abdomen 23%
Arms or legs 41%

Description of injuries (%)

Abrasions (25.7%)

Contusions (35.7%)

Lacerations (3.5%)

Contusion and lacerations (24%)

Fracture (1.2%)

Profuse bleeding (7.6%)

Medium / Serious (12.8%)

II. Classification of domestic violence : status, number (%).