A cross-sectional study of physical spousal violence against women in Goa

Spousal violence against women is very common, yet reliable data concerning its magnitude is lacking. Objectives: To study the prevalence of physical spousal violence and the help-seeking behavior of its victims with respect to certain socio demographic variables, in the three months preceding the survey. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional study consisting of face to face interview of 379 married women, during September to December 2008 was undertaken in Tiswadi Taluka of Goa, India. Results: Spousal violence was reported by 26.6% of the respondents. Factors predisposing the women to victimization included early years of marriage, poor educational status for men and women, working women (OR=3.3; 2.1,5.5), and alcohol consumption by the husband (OR=7; 4.2,11.8). Women with higher monthly income compared to their husbands seemed to be protected (OR=0.28;0.16,0.48). Majority of the victimised women preferred to be silent sufferers. The help seeking behaviour was not proportionate to the severity or the duration of violence but seemed to be influenced by variables like women’s employment, education and income. Conclusion: The study emphasises the role of social factors in perpetuating domestic violence by intimate partner. Change in the social attitude that permits and legitimizes such acts through awareness is the only long lasting panacea.