Working Women’s Experiences on Domestic Violence and its Consequences: An Urban Mangalore Study

Context: Women experience gender inequality and violence in every society which has a negative impact on their life, triggering physical and mental stress that in turn leads to decreased quality of life.

Aim: To determine the pattern of domestic violence and its association with decision making power, economic status, educational status of both partners, age at marriage and to determine legal and health consequences on working women in urban Mangalore.

Method and Material: A cross sectional study done using pre-validated, structured and self-administered questionnaire among 210 working women selected by universal sampling method andchi square test was done to find associations.

Results: The prevalence of emotional abuse (28.8%) was more compared to physical and sexual abuse. 10 - 11% were slapped and beaten, 1 - 2% were hit with objects and kicked. 20% were humiliated, let down and teased often and 4.3% had forced to have sex. 11.8% were physically abused for arguing back and drunken husbands abused their wives often. 51.4% reported depression and 69% visited doctor for various reasons due to domestic violence in past one year. None filed case against their partner to save family reputation (14.3%) and fear on husband (3.8%). Husband’s education had significant association with the act of beating, slapping, forceful sex and emotional trauma.

Conclusions: Women majorly suffered emotional abuse followed by physical and sexual abuse.