Ending domestic violence requires community based initiatives that reflect women’s experiences and perceptions of violence. By investigating the intervention strategies of a non-governmental organization (NGO) based in four Delhi slum colonies, this study explores domestic violence meanings using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Data were collected from four sources. Observations of intake interviews (n=30) were conducted among women seeking help from the NGO. Background information taken from 116 intake forms are provided to contextualize the results. NGO caseworkers (n=22) sorted 34 items representing “kinds of violence cases” on perceived similarities and then ranked them according to seriousness. Multidimensional scaling, which spatially maps out items that closely relate to each other, was used to identify clusters reflecting sub-domains of violence. The findings revealed six sub-domains: 1. Alcohol and lack of family resources; 2. Intra-familial violence; 3. Dowry related violence; 4. Sexual violence; 5. Informal marriage break-up; 6. Formal marriage break-up. Of the 116 women who reported domestic violence, 63 % were between 16 and 29 years of age. Over one fourth of the women sought help during the first four-years of marriage and over one fourth reported less than five years of education. Beatings (62%), lack of financial maintenance (45%) and desertion (28%) were the most commonly reported types of abuse. Murder attempts or murder threats were encountered by one-fourth of the women. Most women (82%) requested assistance towards reconciliation with their husbands. Text analysis suggests that women’s economic dependence and low status exist across all six sub-domains.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the six domestic violence categories generated through mapping exercises, which were conducted among women living in Delhi slums. 2. Discuss what percentage of women encounter problems indicated in the categories listed above. 3. Describe the context and three obstacles that battered women face in Delhi slums.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, India
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.