Domestic Abuse

By: Ayyan Shaikh

Domestic violence (also named domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by a spouse or partner in an intimate relationship against the other spouse or partner. In its broadest sense, domestic violence also involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly. It takes several forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, and sexual abuse, which can range from subtle, coercive forms to marital rape and to violent physical abuse such as choking, beating, female genital mutilation, and acid throwing that results in disfigurement or death. Domestic murders include stoning, bride burning, honor killings, and dowry deaths (which sometimes involve non-cohabitating family members). (via Wikipedia)

We all know how prevalent domestic abuse is in Pakistan. Almost every day a new case is reported and due to the current pandemic, there has been an exponential increase in domestic violence cases reportedly. Here are a few examples of domestic abuse and other articles containing more information about this type of violence:

1.https://newint.org/features/web-exclusive/2017/06/06/domestic-violence-pakistan

This article tells the story of Razia Bibi who experienced domestic violence just a few weeks after her marriage to her cousin. Furthermore, this article also contains statistics and cites the report of the Human rights commission of Pakistan.

2.https://www.aljazeera.com/amp/indepth/features/child-bride-domestic-abuse-survivor-refugee-190617104014059.html

This is the story of Laila who was forced to marry at a young age and then was abused by her husband.

3.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/09/20/woman-gets-tortured-for-not-buying-motorcycle-for-husband/

Rimsha was tormented by her husband and in-laws for not bringing dowry with her.

4.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/04/28/early-marriage-leads-to-domestic-violence-survey/

This article mentions a survey that was conducted which showed that early marriages lead to more domestic abuse.

5.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/12/09/woman-dies-after-being-set-ablaze-by-husband-in-jhang/

Humaira was allegedly set ablaze by her husband which lead to her death.

6.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/09/29/wife-son-strangle-man-to-death/

How a wife strangled her husband to death with the help of her son over a family dispute.

7.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/04/10/half-of-domestic-violence-victims-in-punjab-avoid-reporting-cases-survey/

Statistics from a survey which suggests that the majority of domestic violence cases go unreported.

8.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/04/02/one-more-accuses-husband-of-domestic-violence/

Housewife Sonia comes forward with her domestic abuse case.

9.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/03/04/violence-against-women-center-staff-not-paid-in-9-months-govt-says-issue-to-be-resolved-in-a-week/

The center responsible to look over violence against women is not being paid and this shows a lot about how Pakistan deals with issues.

10.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/02/11/kp-domestic-violence-against-women-bill-2019-tabled-in-provincial-assembly/

KP Domestic Violence Against Women(Prevention and Protection) Bill 2019.

11.https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/11/26/home-most-dangerous-place-for-women-says-un-study/

UN study about domestic violence.

(Image from here.)