Speak up to stop Domestic Violence

Mingyashin Shaiza *

How long should we wait to speak out ? How much longer can you tolerate the pain inflicted on you ? How much longer can you watch your daughter, sister, your friend or your own neighbor suffering ?

Domestic violence against women is no surprise to all of us. Have we gone numb since we repeatedly see the sufferings of the women around us ? Or do you think that women are born to suffer this pain ?

That, in marriage, she vowed to bear the beatings when the husband comes home drunk from a bad day at work ? Did she really vow to work, do house chores, bear children, give birth and look after them, all this while bearing the burden of a violent husband ? No, I hope not.

Domestic violence should be one of the top health concerns in our household, our town, our State and the country. More awareness should be conducted to educate men, women and also children about the Rights women have and the actions that can be taken against the accused.

An incident took place in a village last year. One evening, after getting dinner ready, the wife called her husband to come home. As usual, he was out to visit his friends. She waited as it was tradition for the family to have meals together. Then she heard him talking and laughing next door. Thinking he might have forgotten, she walked next door but saw them drinking. Shocked and scared, the wife ran back.

The husband followed her home, pulled her in their bed room, grabbed a pipe and gave her a trashing. Many of such small incidents of beating, controlling and emotional abuse had happened before but this time she refused to stay quiet.

In yet another incident, a woman was punched on the face by her husband. He came home drunk at midnight and she refused to wake up as she was breast feeding her infant.

These are stories of two women who were bold enough to speak out. There are lots of such incidents taking place every day. If you ever decide to speak out, just know that you are not alone. Also know that your story can give courage to other women. So don’t hesitate. If you don’t speak out, no one can do it for you.

According to the United States Department of Justice Office on Violence against Women, the definition of domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over another intimate partner.

In India, there are several sections in law that address this crime. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted to protect women from domestic violence.

It was brought into force by the Indian Government and Ministry of Women and Child Development on 26 October 2006. The Act envisions appointment of domestic violence Protection Officers by the State Governments in every district. The Protection Officer will provide legal aid, medical services and shelter houses such as One Stop Center (OSC).

One Stop Centers (OSCs) are intended to support women affected by violence, in private and public spaces, within the family, community and at the workplace. Women facing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological and economic abuse, irrespective of age, class, caste, education status, marital status, race and culture will be facilitated with support and redressal.

Aggrieved women facing any kind of violence due to attempted sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence and trafficking, who have reached out or been referred to the OSC will be provided with specialized services.

According to Section 354 of the IPC, husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, who subjects such woman to cruelty, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

One out of three women is subjected to domestic violence every day. We need to speak out to put an end to this. It is our responsibility to stop this act so that our sisters and daughters should not encounter such violence in the future.

I urge all women to stand up together to end domestic violence in our own home. You may not have experienced it and may never experienced it but do it for women as a whole and your daughters in the future.

The more we ignore, the more you are letting this happen. The more you keep quiet; you are giving the accused your permission to continue. How much longer can you tolerate ? What if you have the power to stop this ?

Speak out. Let’s put an end to this.