The world today is full of rage and no one wants to hear even a word about himself from anyone else. Everyone claims himself to be the D.C.! No one understands the problems and needs of the others. Anger and Violence have become the best friends of humans.

And today, a very violent and disgusting face of this anti-social wraith is Domestic Violence. You all might be friendly to this term as the physical or psychological abuse of intimate partner now a days is very common.

According to NHFS-3,2005-6, 32% women experience violence in the first five years of their marriage and about 7600 women are killed by their in-laws for dowry every year. Moreover, one in every six Indian wives face emotional abuse by their husbands. And 51% shameless husbands support abusing their spouses. If this is the condition of women and mentality of men in our country, then how can we say “Mera Bharat Mahaan”?

But, women are not the only ones to be the vulnerables. Surprisingly, men are also on the list but with a great minority. The tiny tauts, sadly, are also being abused. 40-60 % people who abuse (physiaclly or in other ways) other adults also abuse their children. In teens, Teen Dating Violence is a problem. The problem is also prevalent in same-sex relations with about 19% claiming to be abused.

As the datas say, the spotlight is on Women as they are leading the list of victims. But, it is not clear that whether lack of knowledge and awareness in women could be suspected to be a cause of Domestic Violence as in Rajasthan (in the year 2005), 3440 cases were filed of domestic violence and in Kerala even, the most literate state (in the same year), 1028 cases were filed!

But, the main causes of the Violence span over social stress, lack of awareness, lack of self control, use of alcohol and drugs and ego.

Whatever the causes are, there are preventions and cures to every disease. Many steps can be taken by the victims to protect themselves from the Spousal Abuse. Educating yourself, reaching out and taking the help of Law Enforcement Agencies, Medication of the aggressive etc. But the problem has its roots deep beneath the earth now so only the victims can’t do anything. It is now also the duty of the society to step ahead and make the change. What can I do? You would ask! Answer is- Support the change, help others, become a role model, educate and inspire others to be social, and most importantly if you observe any signs of Domestic Violence in your neighbourhood then RING THE BELL!

-Ketan Singla