Definition:

Domestic Violence is defined as a type of actual or threatened physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic abuse that can harm, injure or jeopardize the aggrieved person's health, safety, life whether mental or physical. The definition is broad enough to include child sexual abuse, harassment caused by illicit dowry demands on a women or her relatives and also marital rape. 

Domestic Violence and Covid-19;

Under the Disaster Management Act , India has been labelled Covid-19 a “notified disaster”.Women were specially vulnerable to domestic violence as a result of the pandemics extended lockdown and other social distancing tactics . Inside their homes, women were  combating a shadow pandemic. Domestic Violence allegations in India increasing rapidly during the national - wide shutdown, according to data from the National Commission for Women (NCW) . The National Commission for Women (NCW) developed a national-wide Whatsapp Line to provide an alternative means for women to report domestic abuse in the pandemic. 

 Unreported Domestic Violence :

In India, the number of incidents of violence against women is a source of worry because they are under-reported.

In a country like India , reaching out for help and reporting cases is more challenging because just 46% of women have access to their own mobile phones national - wide , with only 37% in rural regions. In rural areas , there is a lack of  awareness among victims of their right to live in dignity and the process of obtaining appropriate assistance. During the lock- down, this became even worse.

What are the effect after Domestic Violence:

1. Loss of speech
2. Injury
3. Burns
4. unexpected pregnancy leading in abortion  are just a few of the physical effects of violence on women.
5. Mental torture (Women suffers in silence )

Legal Help 

Any person who is suffering in silence can take some legal actions mentioned below:

1. Written complaint to officer- in - charge of the Police Station, or
2. File a Domestic Violence Case,or
3. Filing a Domestic Violence Case under Section 12 of Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, or 
4. Contact any NGO or State Commission  or National Commission for Women
5. Contact any Advocate for legal help

Maintenance for Domestic Violence Survivors:

On a judgement  by Supreme Court  have found that an aggrieved woman can seek maintenance under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, even if she has already been granted maintenance under another legislation. This is a landmark judgement. 

So, Do not suffer in silence, end the violence now. Take legal steps for this heinous crime.