Domestic Violence

Ordinarily Domestic Violence refers to Violence by one partner in an intimate relationship abuses the other.

Thus, the act of Domestic Violence is mostly committed at home which is the safest place for all.

Domestic Violence being gender neutral in words, is frequently & privately inflicted on women.

The phenomenon of Domestic Violence is widely prevalent but has remained largely invisible in the public domain.

Domestic violence may start when one partner feels the need to control and dominate the other. It may range from inflicting minor injuries to causing the death of the persons. Situation differs from place to place and circumstances leading to such occurrence may also not be the same for each incident. When such an incident takes place, the abuser may feel the need to control and dominate the other partner because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions, or when they feel inferior to the other partner in education and socio-economic background.

Domestic violence is a complex phenomenon which involves multiple aspects.

It is considered as a complex mixture of social, economic, cultural, biological and logical factors. All these factors lead to rising incidence of crimes against women.

It occurs in the families of every class, race or culture and is a world wide phenomenon.

Domestic violence has been regarded as an issue involving human rights which has got the serious deterrent effect on the society and development of a country.

This issue of domestic violence has acquired a position where it affects the social, economic and demographic strata of the society across the globe.

The domestic violence is a special kind of violence directed against women particularly within the four walls of the house, which was considered to be in invisible form could not come under all the legislative measures and as such all the civil and penal remedies failed to address the issue.

There was growing concern among the groups of women regarding the domestic violence and it was thought to be more than a crime involving serious human rights issues.

Domestic violence usually involves the infliction of bodily injury, accompanied by verbal threats and harassment, emotional abuse or the destruction of property as means of coercion, control, revenge or punishment, on a person with whom the abuser in involved in an intimate relationship.

Thus, what makes the domestic violence different from any other form of violence against women is that the violence is committed by an intimate partner or the family member living together in a family. The implication of such violence for the woman is that she feels reluctant very often to complain against those whom she considers to be very near and dear and part of her family.

According to the Domestic violence act, any act/conduct /omission/commission that harms or injures or has the potential to harm or injure, will be considered as domestic violence. Under this the law considers physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, psychological and economic abuse or threats of the same. Even a single act of commission or omission may constitute domestic violence, in other words, women do not have to suffer a prolong period of abuse before taking resources to the law.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

PREVENTIVE MEASURES :

1. Police Circular Order 343/2013 regarding Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for investigation of Crime against women has been issued to all the District SsP/ DCsP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack/ SRP Rourkela and SRP, Cuttack.

2. Police Circular Order 338/2013 regarding Prompt investigation and prosecution of crime against women has been issued to all the District SsP./ DCsP, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack / SRP Rourkela and SRP, Cuttack.

3. Concerned Dist. Ss.P. /D.Cs.P. have been advised to intensify patrolling near shandies, women institutions, and during in fairs and festivals. They have also been asked to watch on activities of anti-socials/ drunkards and to conduct raids against circulation of obscene literature and display of blue films.

4. To facilitate integrated approach towards crime against women and children Mahila & Sishu Desks have been setup in 537 Police Stations of the State of Odisha to deal with the complaints of victim women. The District HRPC will act as the Nodal Agencies in such matters within the District.

STATISTICS :-

ATROCITY CASES ON WOMEN UNDER HEADS DOWRY HOMICIDE, DOWRY SUICIDE, DOWRY TORTURE AND NON-DOWRY TORTURE