Perceptions of Options Available for Victims of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India

Ragavan, Maya I.; Iyengar, Kirti; Wurtz, Rebecca

doi:10.1177/1077801215573332

Cited by 29 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Indeed, this is often considered the only viable strategy due to lack of independent resources and social and economic security. Similar findings have been noted in studies in India and Pakistan, where survivors of IPV emphasized the necessity to endure or ‘bear’ the violence (36, 37). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Community perceptions on domestic violence against pregnant women in Nepal: a qualitative study

Pun

Infanti

Koju

et al. 2016

Global Health Action

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BackgroundGlobally, knowledge of health sector options to respond to domestic violence during pregnancy is increasing, but this topic is under-investigated in Nepal. This gap affects the provision of adequate antenatal care services and understanding of factors that influence women’s willingness and ability to use available services. It is critical to know more about the social norms in a community that promote and prevent women experiencing domestic violence from seeking antenatal care.ObjectiveTo explore community perceptions of domestic violence against pregnant women.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted in Dhulikhel municipality, involving 41 men and 76 women in 12 focus group discussions in different gender and family role separated groups. The interviews were recorded, transcribed in verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis. A socio-ecological model was used as a theoretical framework to illustrate linkages between individual, relationship, community, and societal influences on perceptions of domestic violence during pregnancy.ResultsThe community recognized different forms of violence during pregnancy threatening women’s physical and psychological health and presenting obstacles to seeking antenatal care. Some types of culturally specific violence were considered particularly harmful, such as pressure to give birth to sons, denial of food, and forcing pregnant women to do hard physical work during pregnancy, which may leave daughters-in-law vulnerable to domestic violence in extended families. A culture where violence is normalized and endurance and family reconciliation are promoted above individual health was perceived to cause women to tolerate and accept the situation. Participants suggested actions and strategies to address continuing violence, which indicated a societal transition toward increased awareness and changing attitudes and practices.ConclusionsDomestic violence during pregnancy needs to be addressed at different levels in Nepal, where women are often dependent on others for access to health care. Social norms were perceived to be shifting toward reduced acceptance of violence against women, but restrictions on women’s life options, movement, and decision-making authority were still considered impediments to pregnant women’s health.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Community perceptions on domestic violence against pregnant women in Nepal: a qualitative study

Pun

Infanti

Koju

et al. 2016

Global Health Action

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“…Research witness of women being afraid to go to the police because they lack knowledge of the police and some even think that they will be arrested themselves. Perceptions that the police will tell the woman to modify her behaviour instead of trying to make the husband stop being violent seem to be common [26]. Attitudes to IPV among police officers need to be addressed and education in how to respond to IPV is necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Participants perceived that an abused woman who seeks help from the police will be told to modify her behaviour, something that some participants themselves agreed with. Others were scared of the police because they did not know much about them [26]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and predictors of help-seeking for women exposed to spousal violence in India – a cross-sectional study

Leonardsson

Sebastián

2017

BMC Women's Health

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BackgroundSpousal violence against women is prevalent in India (29%). Studies from various countries have shown that few women exposed to intimate partner violence or spousal violence seek help, especially in low-income countries. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and predictors of help-seeking among women in India who have experienced various types of spousal violence.MethodsCross-sectional data on 19,125 married, separated, divorced or widowed women in India who had experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their husbands were obtained from the India National Family Health Survey III 2005–2006. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out.ResultsLess than one fourth (23.7%) of married, separated, divorced or widowed women in India who had experienced some form of physical or sexual spousal violence had sought help, but only 1% had sought help from formal institutions. Help-seeking was most prevalent in women who had been exposed to a combination of physical, sexual and emotional abuse (48.8%) and the least prevalent in women who had experienced sexual violence only (1.5%). Experience of severe violence and violence resulting in injury were the strongest predictors of help-seeking. Having education, being Christian or an acknowledged adherent of another minority religion - mainly Buddhism and Sikhism (Islam not included), getting married after the age of 21 and living in the South region were also associated with seeking help. Women in the North and Northeast regions were less likely to seek help, as were women with children and women who thought that a husband could be justified in hitting his wife.ConclusionsVery few Indian women who experience spousal violence seek help. The characteristics of the violence are the strongest predictors of help-seeking, but sociodemographic factors are also influential. We recommend efforts to ensure educational attainment for girls, prevention of child marriages, and that police officers and health care staff should be educated about intimate partner violence and in how to respond to women who seek help. It is important to tackle norms and attitudes surrounding violence against women, as well as attitudes to women who disclose violence.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12905-017-0453-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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“…Several studies have reported that women are less educated, and pregnant with husbands who drink alcohol have higher risks to domestic violence [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Women who are less empowered, resides in rural areas and married to husbands who are from abusive homes, thus, ever experienced their father beating their mothers stands higher risks of domestic violence [10,15,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Conversely, several literature evidenced that higher educational level for both women and men (husbands), women from wealthy families, empowered women and residing in urban areas were protective factors against domestic violence [11-13, 15, 19, 21, 25, 26].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Domestic violence among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe: a cross sectional study

et al. 2020

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Background: Domestic violence does not only violate women's fundamental human rights but it also undermines them from achieving their fullest potential around the world. This study was conducted to assess trends and factors associated with domestic violence among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe. Method: This was a cross-sectional study which used secondary data obtained from 2005/06, 2010/11 and 2015 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS). Respondents ranged from married or living with a partner (15-49 years). Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with domestic violence. Results: Out of 4472 women who were currently married, 1907 (42.7%) had ever experienced one form of domestic violence (physical, emotional and sexual violence). Women aged 40-49 was deemed a protective factor against domestic violence. Risk of domestic violence was higher among working women than unemployed women [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.047]. Women who drink alcohol significantly risk experiencing domestic violence compared to their non-drinking counterpart; also women whose husbands drink alcohol were at higher risk of experiencing domestic violence [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.001]. Domestic violence was higher among women whose husbands have ever experienced their fathers beating their mothers and significant for women whose husbands have more than one wife (polygamy) [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.001]. High parity (5 or more children) was also a risk factor for domestic violence among the studied population [AOR = 1.35; p ≤ 0.038]. Conclusion: Domestic violence was found to be strongly associated with women whose husbands drink alcohol, products of abusive parents/father beating their mother and/or polygamous marriage (had more than one wife). Domestic violence still remains a challenge and a more biting policy efforts are needed to eradicate this public health canker in Zimbabwe.

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Perceptions of Options Available for Victims of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India

Cited by 29 publications

References 24 publications

Community perceptions on domestic violence against pregnant women in Nepal: a qualitative study

Community perceptions on domestic violence against pregnant women in Nepal: a qualitative study

Prevalence and predictors of help-seeking for women exposed to spousal violence in India – a cross-sectional study

Domestic violence among married women of reproductive age in Zimbabwe: a cross sectional study

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