Domestic Abuse Signs

Domestic abuse occurs when one person in an intimate relationship or marriage tries to dictate and control another person with psychological, emotional and physical abuse. The ‘bell bajao’ or ‘ring the bell’ campaign was used throughout India to ask men and boys to bring halt to domestic violence. One of the bell bajao campaigns that starred the popular Bollywood actor Boman Irani showed that any reason will do for showing up at the door. In the commercial, the actor rings the bell and asks, “Kya main ek phone kar sakta hoon” (Can I make a phone call)?’’ The next second, his cell phone rings, but the abusers expression clearly shows that he is got the point. The campaign reached to millions of people through the media and was a great success. Research has shown that people do not take legal or public help in cases of domestic violence due to guilt and embarrassment. It is very difficult to identify a person who happens to suffer from domestic violence. For the simple reason that most of the victims are not always submissive and have low self esteem, and the abusers are not always hateful to their partners when in public. Most relationships have discords, but it becomes serious when one resorts to domestic violence. It often starts with threats, violent acts, name calling, blaming, slapping and other trauma. Listed below are the warning signs of domestic abuse.