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Domestic violence cases up by 11%

The incidence of violence against women in the home has climbed by nearly 11%, despite the legislation and implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA).

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The incidence of violence against women in the home has climbed by nearly 11%, despite the legislation and implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA). The highest number of cases has been recorded in West Bengal.

The women and child development ministry has recorded an increase in the incidence of domestic violence from 89,546 cases in 2009 to 99,135 in 2011.

This is a significant growth of 10.7%. Figures for the just-concluded 2012 were not available.
According to details available, West Bengal has registered the most number of incidents among the 28 states. Cases in the state increased by a worrying 22% from 16,112 in 2009 to 19,772 in 2011.

Two other states, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, also recorded more than 10,000 cases of domestic cruelty against women in 2011. Maharashtra registered about 7,000 cases.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act was enacted primarily to deal with those habitually assaulting or making the life of the woman miserable, by such conduct even if it does not amount to physical ill-treatment. It provides for the woman to seek relief such as protection, shelter and medical facilities.

In early 2011, the government stated on the floor of Parliament that “the National Crime Records Bureau data shows there has been no perceptible change in the number of dowry deaths and the cases registered under Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, after the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.”

However, it is important to point out that an analysis of the all-India figures for domestic violence has shown that just 8% of these cases are registered under the act.

The National Family Health Survey III (2005-06) data indicated that in the age group of 15-49, 35.4% of women experienced physical or sexual forms of domestic violence.  The data also suggested that physical and sexual forms of domestic violence against women was higher in rural areas than in urban areas.

The PWDVA is implemented by state governments and the central government reviews the implementation of the act from time to time for its effectiveness.

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