Perceptions of options available for victims of physical intimate partner violence in northern India

Violence Against Women. 2015 May;21(5):652-75. doi: 10.1177/1077801215573332. Epub 2015 Mar 16.

Abstract

We used qualitative methodologies to understand perceptions regarding options available for victims of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India. We interviewed male and female community members along with IPV experts. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory. Participants emphasized that a victim of physical IPV should bear the violence, modify her husband's behaviors, or seek help from her natal family. Accessing external resources such as the police or nongovernmental organizations was viewed as both socially inappropriate and infeasible. These results have widespread implications and lay the foundation for the development of IPV prevention initiatives in India.

Keywords: South Asia; intimate partner violence; semistructured interviews.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Community Networks / statistics & numerical data
  • Crime Victims / psychology*
  • Divorce / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Intimate Partner Violence / psychology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Perception*
  • Police / standards
  • Police / statistics & numerical data
  • Qualitative Research
  • Suicide / psychology