That domestic violence is on the rise in North Goa is alarming, to say the least. The figures do not always reflect the truth, but according to Crisis Intervention Centre for Women at the North Goa district hospital, there have been 83 cases of domestic violence in the last 13 months, 65 cases where adult women have consumed poison to get out of a hopeless situation and 115 cases of assault not officially registered. About 90 per cent of the cases were reported by women from Goan families and some come from well-to-do middle class families. These figures tell a dark story of what goes on within the confines of the home.
About two years ago a senior police officer, who was transferred to Goa from Delhi expressed surprise at the number of domestic violence cases because it is always assumed that Goa is a highly literate state and with high literacy comes understanding and resolution of problems through dialogue. Sadly, this is not the case and many incidents of violence go unreported.
There are several women’s groups which are working closely with families on this issue. Many operate behind the scene and away from the glare of the media on account of the sensitive nature of the work. Very often, if the police are stern enough with husbands the violence stops, but this is not always the case because not all police officer have been sensitized to the problem or are equipped to deal with it.
Goa is not the only State, nor is India the only country to face this problem. Domestic violence is a global phenomenon and scientists attribute it to gender inequality. The general perception is that women are the weaker sex and by extension the weaker partner in a marriage. There is a body of evidence to show that women who do not have independent means of looking after themselves, and are financially tied to their husbands, are more likely to be in harm’s way, but this could be just one of the many factors. Mental ill-health is definitely a contributor and inability of spouses to work out their differences another factor. Alcohol, drug abuse and infidelity are relevant factors too.
While marriage counsellors and women’s organisations work with couples and families to reduce violence, the government needs to get more pro-active on the issue. The biggest challenge today is getting victims to lodge complaints or at least file reports. This would provide those, working to reduce this crime, with a clearer picture. The government also needs to start financing NGOs working in this field. The Crisis Intervention Centre for Women, for example is funded by a Mumbai-based organization. Of course an increase in funding will not make the problem go away, but it will bring more experts into field.
This is one area which could do with a large dose of awareness. Programmes highlighting the importance of the girl child and efforts to bring about gender equality are already underway at the national and State level, but greater effort has to be made to ensure that cases get registered and what remains confined within the four walls of the home is curbed, if not eliminated.
