Here is the important information that one may need to know who is suffering from domestic violence – Domestic Violence Helplines, Victim Rights, kinds of abuse, and much more.
There has been a rampant increase in domestic cases against women recently. We have compiled a resource to help you with the information that may help someone struggling in an abusive relationship. This post attempts to capture the following information about three areas:
Section 1: Domestic Violence & Different Kinds Of Abuse
Section 2: Domestic Abuse Victims Rights
Section 3: Domestic Violence Helplines In India
Domestic Violence & Different Kinds Of Abuse
Any type of physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse is recognized as domestic violence. It can be perpetrated by your partner, any family member (natal or matrimonial), or a combination thereof.
1. Physical Abuse
The easiest and the most recognizable form of abuse, physical abuse is about physical force. When perpetrators often use their bodies or objects to harm the girl or woman. It may or may not leave visible marks or body scars. Many times victims tend to underestimate or ignore the abuse, hoping that things would get better with time. But sadly, the reality is the violence usually gets worse.
Some indicative examples that would be considered as physical abuse are:
– Your partner or family lock you in the house.
– Your partner or family lock you out of the house during an argument.
– Your partner or family prevents you from going out of the house on your own.
– Your partner or family tie you up, burn you, set fire to you, pull your hair, bang your head against a surface, throw things at you, or inflict cuts on you.
2. Emotional Abuse
Though emotional abuse is common, many fail to recognize its signs. If you are forced to change or adjust your behavior because you are scared of being ill-treated by your partner or family, you are being abused. Emotional abuse is an attack on your personality rather than your body. Though there are no physical marks, emotional abuse can be equally or more hurtful than physical abuse.
Some indicative examples that would be considered as emotional abuse are:
– Your partner or family makes you feel scared of them.
– Your partner feels jealous, possessive, and over-protective.
– Your partner or family forces you to change your behavior to avoid triggering an attack.
– Your partner or family continuously suspects you of having affairs or being unfaithful.
– Your partner or family isolate you and cut you off from family and friends.
– Your partner or family constantly criticize you, say you are useless, and cannot cope without them.
– Your partner or family uses abusive language when talking to you. They humiliate or insult you. They call you names or make fun of you to hurt you.
– Your partner or family dictates how you should dress and look.
– Your partner or family members have threatened to hurt you or people close to you.
– Your partner or family threatens to harm or kill the children or threaten to kidnap or get custody of the children.
3. Sexual Abuse
If you have been forced or threatened by your partner to have sex, you are a victim of sexual abuse. Neither your partner should force you to perform sexual acts that make you uncomfortable nor should he criticize your performance. If your partner is doing any of the above, he is using sex as a tool to assert his authority and control over you, and hence, it is considered abuse.
Some indicative examples that would be considered as sexual abuse are:
– Your partner forces sexual intercourse with you.
– Your partner forces you to perform the sexual acts that you are not comfortable with.
– Your partner deprives you of sexual relations.
– Your partner or family forces you to have sexual relationships with other people.
4. Financial Abuse
Sadly, financial abuse is one of the most powerful means to control your partner. In simple words, if you feel your partner is limiting your financial independence, then you are experiencing financial abuse.
Some indicative examples that would be considered as financial abuse are:
– Your partner or family takes your money & controls it.
– Your partner or family asks you for a paise-wise account of your expenses.
– Your partner or family put bills in your name or take debts in your name.
– Your partner or family does not give you enough money or deprives you of money.
– Your partner or family prevents you from taking up a job.
– Your partner or family members have taken away your gold and/or other gifts that you may have received.
Domestic Abuse Victims’ Rights
As per The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the domestic violence survivors are entitled to the following:
1. Maintenance Monetary Relief: The domestic violence survivor is entitled to maintenance monetary relief, which includes loss of earnings, medical expenses, and any damage to property.
2. Protection: Once the survivor approach the police, a magistrate can pass the restraining orders. The orders can stop the offender from committing violence towards the survivor but also stop him from any interaction with the survivor. It would also refrain him from taking away survivor’s assets, or intimidating survivor’s family or support network.
3. Residence: The domestic abuse survivor cannot be asked to leave the shared household.
4. Compensation: For mental and physical trauma, the abuse victim can claim damages.
5. Custody: As per the act, the court can grant you temporary custody of children.
6. Legal service: Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, women have the right to free legal services
Domestic Violence Helplines Across India
Bengaluru:
1. Vimochana (NGO)
– Services: Emergency, counseling, legal aid, referrals, and rehabilitative support
– Ph: 080-25492781/82/83
– Address: #33/1-9, 4th Cross, Thyagaraja Layout, Jai Bharath Nagar, Maruthi Sevanagar, Bengaluru 560-033, Karnataka
2. Bembala (NGO)
– Services: Emergency, counseling, legal, referrals
– Ph: 9980660548 – 82
– Address: Vijayanagar, EPIP Zone, Whitefield, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560066
3. Parivarthan Counselling Training and Research Centre
– Services: Mental health services
– Ph: 7676602602/ 080-25273462
– Address: No. 3310, 1st Floor, 8th Cross, 13th Main, HAL 2nd Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008
4. NIMHANS Centre for Wellbeing (Government agency)
– Services: Mental health services
– 9480829670/ 080 26685948
– 9th Main Rd, KEB Colony, New Gurappana Palya, Stage 1, BTM Layout 1, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560076
5. Alternative Law Forum (NGO)
– Services: Legal aid
– Ph: 8022868757
– 122/4, Infantry Rd, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
6. Vanitha Sahayavani:
– Established in 1999 by the Bengaluru City Police. It provides immediate rescue and support for women in distress.
– Ph: 1091 (Toll-free) 080-22943225 (Local)
Chennai
1. The International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (NGO)
– Services: Emergency and rehabilitation
– Ph: 044-43111143
– Address: 2030, 13th Main Rd, Bharathi Colony, Anna Nagar West, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
2. Nakshatra (NGO)
– Services: Legal and medical aid, counseling
– Ph: 9003058479 / 7845629339
Delhi
1. Shakti Shalini:
– Emergency, shelter, counseling, legal aid
– Ph: 011-23317004/ 011-24373737
– Address: 6/30-B, Basement, Kargil Park Lane, Jangpura,
2. Saarthak:
– Ph: (011) 26853846/26524061
3. All India Women’s Conference:
– Ph: 10921/(011) 23389680
4. JAGORI (NGO):
– Counselling and referral services
– Ph: 011-26692700/ 011-26691219/ 011-26691220
– Address: B-114, Shivalik Malviya Nagar New Delhi 110 017, India
5. Lawyer’s collective (NGO)
– Legal aid
– Ph: 011-41666385
– Address: Third Floor, C- 65, Nizamuddin East, New Delhi – 110013
6. Joint Women’s Programme (Branches in Bangalore, Kolkata & Chennai)
– Ph: (011) 24619821
Himachal Pradesh
1. Women Commission
– Ph: – 09816066421, 09418636326, 09816882491
Mumbai
1. Women Helpline (Toll-free): 1298
– It is connected with a wide range of NGOs (almost 80).
– Services: Counseling related to socio-economic, legal, psychological, psychiatric, trauma, medical, and much more.
– If you know someone, who has been the victim of dowry harassment, eve-teasing, abuse, domestic violence, cybercrime, divorce & maintenance or sexual harassment at the workplace, please tell them to reach out to this helpline.
2. iCall
– Services: Counselling, referrals
– Ph: 022-25521111/ 9152987821 Pan India helpline number
– Address: Based out of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
3. SNEHA (NGO)
– Services: Emergency, counseling, legal aid, referrals, and rehabilitative support
– Ph: 9833052684 / 9167535765/ 022-26614488
– Address: BMC Colony, behind Bldg. No. 11, Shastri Nagar, Santacruz West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400054
Pune
1. Aks:
– Ph: 8793088814 (Volunteer Assistance), 8793088815 (Legal Advice), 8793088816 (Psychological Counselling)
All India Email Helpline
1. National Commission For Women
– Member Secretary: ms-ncw@nic.in
– Joint Secretary: jsncw-wcd@nice.in