LAHORE: A survey conducted by the Punjab Commission on Status of Women (PCSW) has revealed half of the victims of domestic violence avoided reporting their cases.
According to the survey, 43 per cent of the victims discussed it with their families while seven per cent talked with their friends and neighbours.
The survey further said 38 per cent of women have experienced spousal violence in their lifetime, while 35 per cent women have reported physical, sexual and psychological violence at the hands of spouses and others.
Women are not likely to seek help or speak up about their experience of gender-based violence to others, some consider it as a family matter or private matter, and sometimes a matter of family honour, the survey said.
The survey further revealed that the most prevalent form of violence reported is psychological and physical, with 34 per cent of the women having experienced psychological violence by a spouse and 20 per cent having suffered physical abuse by their spouse.
Violence against women could badly affect the survivor’s mental, physical and reproductive health with physical injuries and/or psychological trauma leading to low self-esteem, hypertension and sleep problems, the survey said.
The survivors, who reported incidents of physical and sexual violence in the past 12 months, also reported mental health issues and emotional trauma.
In recent years, the Pakistan government has introduced legislative amendments, enacted new laws and initiated investments in preventing violence against women and providing services to survivors.
The Protection of Women Act was introduced along with Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act and Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Act.
The survey suggested that freedom from violence through enhanced state prevention, protection, prosecution and redressed mechanisms are needed.
Effective collaboration between provincial and district governments is needed to implement laws to address violence against women. There is also a need to focus on engaging men and young boys for behavioural changes and to introduce curriculum changes, it suggested.
