77% women in the country remain silent about domestic violence

Even as domestic violence and sexual abuse, mostly at the hands of partners, remains a serious concern, women continue to suffer in silence.

- Ambika Pandit

New Delhi: This worrisome reality is reinforced by the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) as it highlights that of all women surveyed who had experienced any type of physical or sexual violence, only 14% came out to seek help. As many as 77% women never sought any help and did not tell anyone about the violence inflicted on them.

The survey also found that 30% of women aged 18-49 years had experienced physical violence since they were 15 and 6% had suffered sexual violence in their lifetime at least once. According to the survey, 3% of women aged 18-49 have experienced physical violence during pregnancy.