Domestic & Sexual Violence

Domestic and sexual violence are serious violations of personal safety, dignity, equality, and bodily autonomy. Domestic violence can occur within a household or intimate relationship and may involve physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or economic abuse. Sexual violence includes unwanted or forced sexual acts, sexual assault, exploitation, and other forms of sexual abuse.

In India, women affected by violence can access government support through the Women Helpline (181) and One Stop Centres, which provide or connect survivors with emergency assistance, medical care, police assistance, legal aid, counselling, and temporary shelter.

Types of Domestic & Sexual Violence

1. Physical Violence

Hitting, beating, kicking, burning, choking, or causing physical injury.

2. Sexual Violence

Forced sexual activity, sexual assault, rape, unwanted sexual contact, or other sexual acts without freely given consent.

3. Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Threats, humiliation, intimidation, constant insults, controlling behaviour, or deliberate actions intended to cause emotional distress.

4. Economic Abuse

Controlling access to money, preventing someone from working, taking earnings, or denying essential financial resources.

5. Sexual Harassment

Unwanted sexual comments, advances, gestures, messages, or other unwelcome sexual behaviour, including in workplaces and public spaces.

6. Digital Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sharing of intimate images, online sexual harassment, threats involving private photographs, or other technology-facilitated sexual abuse.

7. Child Sexual Abuse

Any sexual activity, exploitation, or inappropriate sexual conduct involving a child. Such cases require immediate reporting to the appropriate child-protection authorities.

How to Tackle Domestic & Sexual Violence

1. Prioritize Immediate Safety

If someone is in immediate danger, move to a safe location if possible and contact emergency services. In India, the Women Helpline 181 can connect women in distress with emergency services and One Stop Centres.

2. Seek Medical Assistance

After physical or sexual violence, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Medical records can also become important documentation if legal proceedings follow.

3. Preserve Evidence

Where it is safe to do so, preserve:

• Medical reports

• Photographs of injuries

• Messages, emails, or threatening communications

• Relevant photographs or videos

• Details of witnesses

• Clothing or other physical evidence where relevant

• Previous complaints or legal documents

Do not put yourself at additional risk to collect evidence.

4. Report the Incident

Depending on the circumstances, a survivor can approach the police, appropriate court, State/National Commission for Women, Human Rights Commission, One Stop Centre, or other competent authority.

5. Seek Legal and Psychological Support

Professional legal assistance can help identify available remedies and protective measures. One Stop Centres provide access to legal assistance, counselling, medical support, police assistance, and temporary shelter.

Where to Apply Against Domestic & Sexual Violence

Women Helpline – 181

The Government of India’s Women Helpline 181 provides a toll-free service for women experiencing violence or seeking information and support. It can connect callers with emergency response services and One Stop Centres. The service also provides information and referrals for legal, psychological, and other support.

One Stop Centres

One Stop Centres (OSCs) provide integrated support to women affected by violence. Their services include temporary shelter, medical assistance, legal aid, police assistance, and psychological counselling.

Official Women Helpline: Women Helpline – Ministry of Women & Child Development

Benefits of Taking Action

• Protects the survivor’s safety and dignity

• Provides access to medical and psychological support

• Creates an official record of the incident

• Provides access to legal remedies

• Can help obtain protection and other appropriate relief

• Connects survivors with temporary shelter and support services

• Helps hold responsible persons accountable through lawful procedures

• Helps prevent continued or repeated abuse

Conclusion

Domestic and sexual violence can have serious physical, emotional, social, and legal consequences. Survivors should not be blamed for the violence committed against them. Safety, timely medical care, preservation of available evidence, reporting to appropriate authorities, and access to legal and support services are important steps toward protection and justice.

If someone is in immediate danger, seek emergency assistance first rather than confronting the alleged offender alone.