ABSTRACT
This chapter looks into the issue of domestic violence in India, and women’s vulnerability towards blended violence (dowry, sexual harassment, physical assault). In India, as per the NFHS IV round report, 33 per cent of ever married women (age 15–49) faced domestic violence of different kinds such as spousal physical, sexual or emotional violence. It explains how although a large section of women faced domestic violence on the day-to-day basis, yet it was normalised by women, community and at times even by the state personnel. The law against domestic violence, law related to dowry and the Indian Penal Code Act, Section 498 (A) and schemes are analysed. The implementation of the law and policy measures taken for women facing domestic violence in the state of Bihar has been analysed while taking empirical data into account. The study found despite the high prevalence of the domestic violence, low reporting and the low conviction rate, which further exemplifies a considerable dysfunctionality of the law.
