Domestic Violence: The Dark Truth of Our Society

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone. Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. The management of domestic violence essentially requires combined effort of law enforcement, social welfare and health care services. Although efforts have been made in this direction, the attended cases represent just the tip of the iceberg, as majority of the cases are not reported due to social pressures from family members or social stigma of defamation. Real change in these cases can only be brought about by changing the mindset of society through education and better law enforcement.