Three years ago, Sarita Shahi (name changed) reported a case of domestic violence against her husband. But it was only in 2015 that her husband was proven guilty and sentenced. To add to her dismay, he was soon released on bail, after which he became even more violent. Eventually, Sarita moved out of the house along with her two children.

According to the Economic Survey 2015, 10,193 cases of domestic violence were filed in 17 districts alone—where the government has established One-Stop Crisis Management Centres for women suffering from gender-based violence—in the fiscal year 2013/14. The number of cases could be much higher, because women who face violence in their homes do not easily speak out due to social stigma and financial dependence on their family members.

So to help address this problem, in 2009, the government passed the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act. According to the law, a person who commits an act of domestic violence can be fined up to Rs 25,000, be sentenced for a maximum of six months, or in some cases, both. However, women rights activists argue that the low amount of fine makes it very easy for culprits to obtain a bail, and thereby, this provision has been rendered ineffective. They also argue that the lenient provision discourages women victims from speaking up in many instances.

Therefore, the government must re-evaluate the Domestic Violence Act and introduce more stringent measures to deter perpetrators. For instance, six months jail time can be made mandatory and the provision which sets perpetrators free after they pay a fine could be removed. In addition, domestic violence should be seen as a crime against the state rather than just being a household matter. The government should also expand the One Stop Crisis Centres in other districts across the country as these centres do help to raise awareness among people, and to keep the records of such crimes which are crucial.

Likewise, it is essential for both the government and non-governmental institutions to collaborate and work against domestic violence. Efforts need to be made to understand and tackle the roots of violence such as the notions which valorise masculinity and demand women to be submissive and put up with whatever her family members do to her. There is also a critical need for men to proactively join the campaigns against domestic violence. To that end, programmes against gender-based violence should also move away from focussing solely on girls and women, and target men and other members of the family to discourage them from committing such acts of violence.