Perspectives on domestic violence: case study from Karachi, Pakistan.
There is no adequate profile of domestic violence in Pakistan although this issue is frequently highlighted by the media. This case study used qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the nature and forms of domestic violence, circumstances, impact and coping mechanisms amongst selected women victims in Karachi. Violence was a continuum: all the women reported verbal abuse, often escalating into physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse. The husband was the most common perpetrator. Women suffered in silence due to sociocultural norms, misinterpretation of religious beliefs, subordinate status, economic dependence and lack of legal redress. Besides short-term local measures, public policy informed by correct interpretation of religion can bring about a change in prevailing societal norms.
Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University Karachi, Pakistan. fauziah.rabbani@aku.edu
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Rabbani
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Qureshi
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Rizvi
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010154:Pakistan; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016387:Women's Health; D014933:Women's Rights