Keeping Quiet Makes Domestic Violence Even Worse

Domestic violence is perpetrated by cowards on the weaker members of the family. It can take a variety of forms such as one person trying to control another and subdue him or her, physical abuse, sexual abuse, isolation, verbal abuse and economic abuse. The victim may suffer more than one form of domestic violence and continue to suffer in silence while other family members and society looks on, knowing but not doing anything about it.

This perpetuates domestic violence.

A lot takes place in the name of Family honor.  Only the female members of the family – sisters, mothers, daughters and daughter in laws are sacrificed at the altar of honour. 

Typically, if a wife is the victim she will choose to bear all that is heaped on her. She may take physical abuse, have her movements curtailed, hear slurs and be controlled but she will not oppose it or take any legal action. It will bring shame to her and to her family so those who heap abuses on her continue to do so. It goes on. Family members look on and do nothing because it becomes a “personal” matter.

Society made up of neighbors and relatives and the rest know fully well about domestic violence but no one dares interfere. “It is none of our business” they say. Such things happen everywhere and has become the accepted way of thinking. Perpetrators of domestic violence continue knowing society does not care and will not ostracize him. The law will not intervene or interfere. It needs a complaint and no one is complaining so law just remains tied.

Who stands up for the victim? No one. This is seemingly a matter of pride for a society that boasts a “rich” heritage and tradition going back 5000 years in which Goddesses are worshipped. 

Victims in all such cases of domestic violence are too terrified of repercussions to stand up and speak out. For them life is a never-ending hell. A champion or hero is rarely around the corner to come to their rescue. This is real life and not reel life. Who then can bring an end to such domestic violence? We all can if we join hands together and think and act collectively.  If we do not then we too are becoming part of such violence and are just as culpable as the perpetrator.

Change in society comes when we all act responsibly and in cases of domestic violence, the victim needs social support. Society can compel law to take action. Society can compel perpetrators of domestic violence to stop or reform. Doing something will result in some outcome. John Stuart Mill said that “a person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable…” This applies to you, to me, to the society as a whole because we as a collective whole are perpetuating domestic violence by doing nothing.

She Speaks, a non-governmental organization based in Delhi has been taking significant initiatives to curb the menace of domestic violence.  The Women Empowerment Programmes and many other initiatives are empowering and enabling the women to speak up against domestic violence and other issues related to woman. For more information,

 Please visit-  www.SheSpeaks.co.in