NCJ Number
210043
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2005 Pages: 736-758
Date Published
June 2005
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to provide an in-depth view into Indian women’s experiences of abuse and give these abused women a voice.
Abstract
In order to develop prevention and intervention strategies for abused women in India, a comprehensive understanding of the culture-specific contexts of abuse is vital. This study attempts to give voice to women who were marginalized, understudied, and abused in India. The study consisted of 90 women who were recruited from 3 help sources for women who were abused in Chennai City in the State of Tamil Nadu. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed. Results underscored Indian women’s secondary status, who are seen as the property of their husbands. Respondents reported multiple forms of violence, primarily from their husbands. A lack of or an insufficient dowry was an important determinant of instigation and active encouragement of violence in the marital home. The findings suggest that women who are abused in Chennai experience serious forms of violence and are living with profound consequences. In addition to multiple forms of violence, these women face abuse on a daily basis. Clinicians and community-based agencies play a critical role in intervening with survivors of domestic violence and in adopting a comprehensive approach when planning services. References