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Hyderabad’ March 19 (Shahewer Fatima-PMI) Despite rising literacy rates and rapid urban development, Telangana continues to face a serious issue of domestic violence, largely hidden within households. According to data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), about 37 percent of married women in the state have experienced physical or sexual violence at the hands of their husbands.
The data reveals a strong link between domestic violence and alcohol consumption. In households where husbands do not drink, the rate of violence stands at 23 percent. However, this figure rises sharply to 70 percent when husbands frequently consume alcohol. Even occasional drinking is associated with abuse, with 44 percent of women reporting violence in such households.
Physical violence is the most common form, affecting 37 percent of women, while 5 percent reported experiencing sexual violence. The most frequent forms of abuse include slapping (31 percent), followed by punching and twisting of arms. Around 28 percent of victims reported sustaining physical injuries.
Alarmingly, the survey highlights a social acceptance of domestic violence. About 84 percent of women believe that a husband may be justified in hitting his wife under certain circumstances, such as neglecting household duties or disrespecting in-laws. This mindset discourages victims from seeking help, resulting in 71 percent of affected women never speaking out about their abuse.
Institutional support remains under utilised. Only 8 percent of victims approach the police, while about 21 percent seek help, mostly from family members rather than formal institutions. Experts attribute this trend to a lack of trust in official systems.
The NFHS-5 report also points to an intergenerational cycle of abuse, where women whose mothers experienced domestic violence are more likely to face similar situations themselves. (pressmediaofindia.com)
