SHIELDING THE VULNERABLE: EXPLORING THE SOCIO-LEGAL LANDSCAPE OF PROTECTING WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN INDIA

Abstract

Domestic violence is using force against other person. It manifests as verbal, physical or psychological abuse. Domestic violence is common in every nook and corner of India. Mostly victim are not able to access the law which makes legal remedies ineffective. There are various legislations to protect women from discrimination. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is one of the protective and effective legislation which protect women from violence at home and other place. There is an effort to study the legal provision to stop the domestic violence and effectiveness of its implementation in society. A study was conducted using a questionnaire tool to study the awareness level of women about to Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Two separate study areas were identified to collect the sample based on urban and rural background of the area. Present study revealed that only 24.4% women from rural area have knowledge about this Act as compared to 42.8% of the urban background. Vast majority of rural women (52.8%) and 44% of urban women are unaware of the Act and despite very strong law against the domestic violence,  still privailent in rural society and Act is not able to punish the culprit successfully as majority of the incidences are not reoported any where. Absconding of complaints is the major hurdle in implementing the law. There is big gap between law and its implementation.