Domestic violence against women in Kerala

Abstract

Domestic violence is a problem that affects the lives of many women both in the urban and the rural areas. It is also an episode that has been found to recur throughout the life cycle of women and has extensive repercussions. According to the most commonly used definitions, it may comprise “physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse occurring in an adult relationship between intimate or formerly intimate partners with a pattern of controlling behaviour by the abusing partner”. Domestic violence takes many forms and occurs in all settings, within the household and is in almost all cases, perpetrated by men. Cultural and social norms that enhance patriarchal values are promoted in most societies including India and in the process they perpetuate inequality between men and women, and condone violence against women.