What is Domestic Violence? Domestic violence is the act of physical, emotional, sexual or economic abuse or intimidation within a family. 2. Why does domestic violence occur or happen? Domestic violence occurs as a result of several different and sometimes interrelated factors. Sometimes the abuse arises from seldom challenged societal stereotypes that result in the subjugation and devaluation of women. The abusers (usually male partners/husband) feel an entitlement to impose their will on women by what means they can think of, including but not limited to the use of violence. Often the abuse originates from the deep seated personal insecurities and frustration of the abuser, unrelated to the victim's own behavior or actions. 3. Why is it difficult to stop or end domestic violence? Domestic abuse against a particular person is often ongoing and repetitive, not isolated to a single incident but interwoven into the patter of both abuser and the victim's daily lives. Because of the often repetitive nature of abuser, victims sometime become resigned to the abuse, unwilling to challenge the injustice of their situation or admit the extent of hurt they are experiencing. This silence of the victim is often enhanced and even encouraged by the victim's environment and society's hesitance to face the controversial issue of domestic violence as a matter that everyone should feel passionate about solving. 4. Who suffers from domestic violence? Men, women and children can experience domestic violence but women suffer from it more frequently. Despite common misconception, domestic violence often occurs "under the radar", and maybe happening to your mother, sister, daughter, friend, colleague or neighbor at any given moment. Domestic violence also spans all social-economic societal levels. It occurs in the homes of both the rich and the poor and is perpetrated by abusers both old and young who damage the lives of people from a variety of age ranges. 5. What are the indicators of domestic violence? Women and men suffering from domestic violence may shoe any of the following characteristics or behaviors:
Children living in violent homes, experiencing domestic violence directly or witnessing it on a daily basis may show any of the following characteristics:
Domestic violence does occur in Bhutan and the Bhutanese people are not unfamiliar with the concept. However, many understand domestic violence in the context of physical abuse of a woman by her husband. Domestic violence in Bhutan, as in the rest of the world, has been treated as an 'internal' family matter and, consequently, has been disregarded as an issue requiring broader societal attention. 7. Are there legal instruments in Bhutan to protect women from against SBV/domestic violence/VAW? Yes, there are. International restrictions as well as domestic laws and regulations exist to protect women against violence. To start with, Bhutan is signatory to the international Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)-know informally as the international bill of rights for women. CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations in 1979 and Bhutan signed it in 1980 without any reservation. Through its acceptance of CEDAW, Bhutan committed it self to undertake measures to end any and all forms of gender-based discrimination against women by:
Domestic laws such as the Marriage Act of Bhutan 1980 which covers
separation, divorce and child custody were later revised to ensure
more sensitivity to women's needs. Accordingly child support was
significantly revised in favor of mothers and marriageable age was
revised to 18 years. The Rape Act of 1996 lays down arrange of penalties
and length of imprisonment for offenders, particularly of minors.
The Penal Code of Bhutan adopted in 2004 is a highly comprehensive
set of legal norms and procedures to guide citizen and legislators
alike to access the law and seek legal protection. The definition
of rape has been expanded to cover 'marital rape' as well. Does your partner…
Do You….
If you answered yes to any of the previous questions, you may be involved in an abusive relationship. If you find yourself in need of help, there are several options available: 1) Contact the local police. 2) Locate a local shelter that provides aid to victims of abuse. Once such organization is RENEW, which manages a temporary shelter and provides counseling services to victims of domestic abuse. OR call RENEW at 332159/334751
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