domestic abuse essay law teacher

• Search Menu

Sign in through your institution

• Author Guidelines
• Why Publish
• Submission Site
• Reviewer guidelines
• Open Access
• About Policing
• Editorial Board
• Advertising and Corporate Services
• Journals Career Network
• Dispatch Dates
• Journals on Oxford Academic
• Books on Oxford Academic

• < Previous

Policing Domestic Violence Special Edition Editorial: Seven years on—Reflections on progress in domestic abuse research and practice

• Article contents
• Figures & tables
• Supplementary Data

Jacqueline Sebire, Jesenia M Pizarro, Policing Domestic Violence Special Edition Editorial: Seven years on—Reflections on progress in domestic abuse research and practice, Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice , Volume 18, 2024, paae082, https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paae082

• Permissions Icon Permissions

The last Special Edition of Policing, dedicated to Domestic Abuse, was published in 2016. This edition presented research centred on the practicalities of police and law enforcement agencies when dealing with domestic abuse. The issue included papers on risk assessment, the use of technology to improve investigations, perpetrator profiling, and police culture. In the issue’s editorial the guest editors’ note that, ‘Despite a great deal of research over the last 30 years, we still have major gaps in understanding the most effective strategies, in developing and implementing the best risk assessments and delivering the best victim and offender approaches’ ( Baldry and Sebire, 2016). There was a call for researchers and practitioners to support an evidence base for understanding ‘what works’ when policing domestic abuse.

Since there is still no comprehensive global database, we are unable to measure the number of lives lost to domestic abuse over the 8 years since that last Special Edition. A conservative and somewhat sobering estimate is approximately 376,000 women ( United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2021). However, public awareness, researcher understanding, and practitioner expertise have continued to develop at pace in the interim, adding to the evidence base of what works. Seismic global events have also impacted the research and policing of domestic abuse. Coronavirus disease 2019 and its associated lockdowns, restrictions on movements, and service provision have developed our understanding of domestic abuse within the context of a global pandemic ( Kourti et al. , 2023). The #MeTo movement opened up public debate and awareness of gender-based violence ( Wilcox et al. , 2021). However, despite these new insights, the perennial challenges associated with policing domestic abuse, such as risk assessment, best use of technology, and what works recognized in the 2016 issue, remain very much on the research agenda.

Personal account

• Sign in with email/username & password
• Get email alerts
• Save searches
• Purchase content
• Activate your purchase/trial code
• Add your ORCID iD

Institutional access

Sign in with a library card.

• Sign in with username/password
• Recommend to your librarian
• Institutional account management
• Get help with access

Access to content on Oxford Academic is often provided through institutional subscriptions and purchases. If you are a member of an institution with an active account, you may be able to access content in one of the following ways:

IP based access

Typically, access is provided across an institutional network to a range of IP addresses. This authentication occurs automatically, and it is not possible to sign out of an IP authenticated account.

Choose this option to get remote access when outside your institution. Shibboleth/Open Athens technology is used to provide single sign-on between your institution’s website and Oxford Academic.

• Click Sign in through your institution.
• Select your institution from the list provided, which will take you to your institution's website to sign in.
• When on the institution site, please use the credentials provided by your institution. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.
• Following successful sign in, you will be returned to Oxford Academic.

If your institution is not listed or you cannot sign in to your institution’s website, please contact your librarian or administrator.

Enter your library card number to sign in. If you cannot sign in, please contact your librarian.

Society Members

Society member access to a journal is achieved in one of the following ways:

Sign in through society site

Many societies offer single sign-on between the society website and Oxford Academic. If you see ‘Sign in through society site’ in the sign in pane within a journal:

• Click Sign in through society site.
• When on the society site, please use the credentials provided by that society. Do not use an Oxford Academic personal account.

If you do not have a society account or have forgotten your username or password, please contact your society.

Sign in using a personal account

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members. See below.

A personal account can be used to get email alerts, save searches, purchase content, and activate subscriptions.

Some societies use Oxford Academic personal accounts to provide access to their members.

Viewing your signed in accounts

Click the account icon in the top right to:

• View your signed in personal account and access account management features.
• View the institutional accounts that are providing access.

Signed in but can't access content

Oxford Academic is home to a wide variety of products. The institutional subscription may not cover the content that you are trying to access. If you believe you should have access to that content, please contact your librarian.

For librarians and administrators, your personal account also provides access to institutional account management. Here you will find options to view and activate subscriptions, manage institutional settings and access options, access usage statistics, and more.

Short-term Access

To purchase short-term access, please sign in to your personal account above.

Don't already have a personal account? Register

Email alerts

Citing articles via.

• Recommend to your Library

Affiliations

• Online ISSN 1752-4520
• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• About Oxford Academic
• Publish journals with us
• University press partners
• What we publish
• New features  
• Open access
• Rights and permissions
• Accessibility
• Advertising
• Media enquiries
• Oxford University Press
• Oxford Languages
• University of Oxford

Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. It furthers the University's objective of excellence in research, scholarship, and education by publishing worldwide

• Copyright © 2024 Oxford University Press
• Cookie settings
• Cookie policy
• Privacy policy
• Legal notice

This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

• Register or Log In
• 0) { document.location='/search/'+document.getElementById('quicksearch').value.trim().toLowerCase(); }">

Chapter 4 Outline answers to essay questions

Is the range of possible legal responses to domestic abuse sufficient to protect victims?

Domestic abuse goes beyond physical abuse and can include psychological, emotional, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. Domestic abuse can affect adults in all types of relationship and can also include violence between parents and children. 

Explain the legal response to domestic violence, including: 

• Non-molestation and Occupation orders under the Family Law Act 1996
• Injunctions under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997
• Domestic Violence Protection Notices and Orders under s24-33 of the Police & Security Act 2010
• Injunctions under the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007

Criminal Law

• Offences of violence under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861
• Public order offences under the Public Order Act 1986
• Offences of harassment under the 1997 Act (and amendments to cover stalking made by the Protection of Freedom Act 2012
• Offence of coercive and controlling behaviour under s76 Serious Crime Act 2015
• Offence of forced marriage under s121 Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 (and breach under s120 ).

Given the breadth of conduct included in the Home Office definition of domestic violence, do you think that the legal response is adequate? There are lots of things you could comment on, for example:

• Is there enough variety in the available remedies? For example, do these remedies work in the same way for violence between adults and violence by a parent against a child?
• What do you think about the use of criminal law? Might some people be against reporting their parent or partner to the police? Should it be up to the victim to decide?
• Do civil remedies protect the right people? Consider Helen Reece's arguments in ‘The End of Domestic Violence’ (2006) 99(5) MLR 770.
• Occupation orders may involve removing someone from their home. In some cases the person with the benefit of an occupation order may not otherwise have been able to occupy the property.
• Does the new offence of coercive control better capture the nature of domestic abuse?
• Consider Choudry and Herring’s article about whether criminal law is the appropriate way to deal with domestic abuse in ‘In Practice: Prosecuting Domestic Violence’ [2008] Fam Law

It is also worth considering that the criteria for claiming legal aid are very restrictive and that many victims of domestic violence would not meet them.

Conclude with your assessment of the current law and, if you think that the law should be reformed, explain how it should be reformed.

Select your Country

(877) 322-NWEF | [email protected]

Domestic Violence: How Does It Affect Schools, Students, and Teachers?

Did you know that it’s estimated that 1 in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence every year? 

According to Futures Without Violence , “15.5 million U.S. children live in families in which partner violence occurred at least once in the past year.” Domestic violence shelters house many children who are in serious danger of witnessing abuse or being abused themselves. Teen dating abuse is prevalent, with “nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experienc[ing] physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year,” says Love Is Respect .

The statistics are staggering and concerning. If so many children and teens are exposed to domestic violence, how many walk into school every day carrying that burden on their shoulders? How many of their teachers deal with the same problems in their own homes? After all, the CDC estimates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience partner violence once in their lifetime.

What if domestic violence is creating underlying issues within your classroom or your child’s school? What should parents, grandparents, and teachers do?

What We’re Up Against

Domestic violence takes many forms and each affects kids profoundly.

• Intimate partner violence damages many homes across the U.S. Intimate partner violence can be between a child’s mother and father, although commonly, children experience partner violence if their parents are divorced or if they have a chronically unstable home life. For example, if their mother has remarried or their father has a girlfriend. And if a child’s parents plan to divorce, the risk of domestic violence occuring during the separation process is much higher . 
• Witnessing intimate partner violence is as harmful to children as direct abuse to themselves, says USA Today . Depression, anxiety, isolation, and guilt are some of the common results of this kind of abuse. Some children even become violent to their peers, since they see it at home and know no other way of coping with emotions, and may repeat abusive behavior in their own relationships as adults.
• Children may also be abused at home, especially if they live with intimate partner violence already. Many different types of child abuse exist; this category of domestic violence can include physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, or all of the above. Child abuse can have devastating results , including death, suicide, brain damage, and physical issues such as stomachaches or headaches, breakdowns, behavioral problems, and much more. 
• Children can also be exposed to elder abuse, especially if their family includes a grandparent or another older relative. Again, just witnessing abuse perpetrated on a family member can cause long-term mental challenges such as PTSD or anxiety. 
• Teen dating violence , though not addressed as often, may be equally harmful. Dating violence especially impacts schools, because it often happens right on campus. If a teen experiences abuse from a girlfriend or boyfriend, they may have trouble knowing what to do about it if they’ve never been exposed to partner violence before, and particularly because they are as yet emotionally immature. Like all other abuse, teen dating violence can lead to many psychological problems, substance abuse, and even suicide. Plus, one study reveals that teen dating violence “results in poor health and mental health, lower academic achievement, truancy and drop out.”

The Effects Of Domestic Violence In Schools

Consistent violence and abuse impacts every corner of a child’s life. It affects mental well-being, prevents them from having a healthy emotional balance, and manifests itself, sometimes, in physical discomfort.

Children’s stability and mental health play a big part in his or her school life and ability to learn. A compromised school can affect a student’s friends, teachers, and class.

It’s more likely for young children who experience domestic violence to have trouble in school, such as getting bad grades and failing to develop their social abilities. They may become a bully or be bullied. They may “act out” in class , have trouble focusing, and fail to create close friendships. As they become teens, they risk developing substance addictions, which present a whole new slew of problems. They may become acutely depressed, miss classes, and even drop out of school all together. Science Daily says one out of five teens drop out of high school, and they’re more likely to do so if they’re abused.

Children and teens exposed to domestic violence don’t feel safe and can become disruptive to their classes and schools. Children in broken households also tend to move often to live with different relatives or caregivers, which can greatly impact their success in school. Teachers who deal with disruptive, aggressive, or depressed children cannot give their full focus to all the students in their class. Teachers and students alike will have trouble engaging with learning.

Schools may be held responsible for a negative situation (such as low grades, disciplinary issues, or truancy) that links back to domestic violence. This can put a lot of pressure on schools and teachers, not to mention the students themselves. 

Domestic Violence Laws That Impact Schools

Let’s talk a little about domestic violence laws and policies that schools may face at one time or another.

Dating abuse is such a prevalent problem in our schools today t hat states have passed legislation to address it . Many of these laws require schools to incorporate dating violence education into their curriculum. A few require that schools provide for the educational and other related needs of dating violence victims.

Children sometimes find themselves without a home due to domestic violence situations. Homeless children are protected under The McKinney-Vento Act .  This law “ensures children and youth who have lost their housing can attend school. The law covers things like the right to transportation and the freedom to attend school without harassment or being separated in any way from their classmates.

Similarly, The Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act allows schools to release private information to various authorities or caregivers without a parent’s permission in the event of a domestic violence situation.

Schools may also be impacted by restraining orders , particularly when it comes to teen dating violence. If a teen gets a restraining order on his or her dating partner who attends the same school, the school may be required to make accommodations for that, such as removing the abuser from certain classrooms or programs. They could even be required to transfer the abuser to another school.

What We Can Do To Help

Many schools are already knee-deep in raising awareness among students and teachers about domestic violence. And we know that domestic violence is a devastating and all-too-common theme today in America. 

But stopping domestic violence doesn’t start at school; it starts at home. Strong families make strong students. 

Schools and teachers still have a great deal of influence over children, however. Teachers and staff should be always on guard. Teen dating violence often happens on campus , and a school’s failure to report such behavior, if it’s known, can lead to consequences. 

Sometimes abusive parents have restraining orders to keep them from harming their children. It’s a good thing for teachers to know about this and plan for it. It’s also important for teachers to understand a student’s home life. Does he have a blended family? If a child’s parent is living with another adult unrelated to the child, the risk of domestic violence increases dramatically . Find out if domestic violence insidents have occured in one (or both) of the student’s homes. Who will you contact if domestic violence comes to light? 

Since teachers spend long hours with their students it’s important for them to look out for signs of trauma and seek ways to help, including contacting their parent or guardian. 

Teachers, you may want to consider keeping a domestic violence hotline stored on your phone for quick access for yourself or your students. If you’ve experienced domestic violence previously in your own life, you’re in a unique position to help and offer understanding to your students who deal with the same. 

And remember, every teacher has the power to create a safe, healthy culture in the classroom, which promotes good conduct and healthy morals .

Whether you’re an educator, parent, or guardian, if you’re a safe adult in a child’s life, talk to them about these issues. It’s the best way to protect them from domestic violence, as well as teaching them to think critically and use wisdom. 

Domestic violence is destructive both at home and in school. Let’s be sure we know what we’re up against and fight hard for our students’ safety!

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Make a difference. Run for school board.

Free course. Enroll today.

Related Posts

Do Private School Teachers Actually Have More Freedom?

What’s the Fuss About SEL (Social Emotional Learning)?

Helping Kids With Mental Health: Tips And Resources

• DOWNLOADS AND PRINTABLES
• Upcoming Summits
• Recent Summits
• Host A Summit
• KNOW YOUR STATE

RECENT POSTS

• Do Private School Teachers Actually Have More Freedom? July 2, 2024
• What’s the Fuss About SEL (Social Emotional Learning)? July 2, 2024
• Domestic Violence: How Does It Affect Schools, Students, and Teachers? July 2, 2024
• Helping Kids With Mental Health: Tips And Resources July 2, 2024
• Cyberbullying: What It Is & How We Can Protect Our Kids July 2, 2024


 Mailing address: PO Box 962 Bedford, Virginia 24523 USA

Phone: (877) 322-NWEF

Email: [email protected]

© Copyright 2024 | Noah Webster Educational Foundation All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions

Essay On Domestic Violence

500 words essay on domestic violence.

Domestic violence refers to the violence and abuse which happens in a domestic setting like cohabitation or marriage. It is important to remember that domestic violence is not just physical but any kind of behaviour that tries to gain power and control over the victim. It can affect people from all walks of life and it basically subjects towards a partner, spouse or intimate family member. Through an essay on domestic violence, we will go through its causes and effects.

Causes of Domestic Violence

Often women and children are the soft targets of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a gruesome crime that also causes a number of deaths. Some of the most common causes of domestic violence are illiteracy and economical dependency on the menfolk.

The male-dominated society plays an important role in this problem. Further, dowry is also one of the leading causes which have the consequence of violence against newly-wed brides. In many parts of the world, physically assaulting women and passing horrendous remarks is common.

Moreover, children also become victims of this inhuman behaviour more than often. It is important to recognize the double standards and hypocrisy of society. A lot of the times, the abuser is either psychotic or requires psychological counselling.

However, in a more general term, domestic violence is the outcome of cumulative irresponsible behaviour which a section of society demonstrates. It is also important to note that solely the abuser is not just responsible but also those who allow this to happen and act as mere mute spectators.

Types of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence has many ill-effects which depend on the kind of domestic violence happening. It ranges from being physical to emotional and sexual to economic. A physical abuser uses physical force which injures the victim or endangers their life.

It includes hitting, punching, choking, slapping, and other kinds of violence. Moreover, the abuser also denies the victim medical care. Further, there is emotional abuse in which the person threatens and intimidates the victim. It also includes undermining their self-worth.

It includes threatening them with harm or public humiliation. Similarly, constant name-calling and criticism also count as emotional abuse. After that, we have sexual abuse in which the perpetrator uses force for unwanted sexual activity.

If your partner does not consent to it, it is forced which makes it sexual abuse. Finally, we have economic abuse where the abuser controls the victim’s money and their economic resources.

They do this to exert control on them and make them dependent solely on them. If your partner has to beg you for money, then it counts as economic abuse. This damages the self-esteem of the victim.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Conclusion of the Essay on Domestic Violence

To conclude, domestic violence has many forms which include physical aggression like kicking and biting and it can also be sexual or emotional. It is essential to recognize the signs of domestic violence and report the abuser if it is happening around you or to you.

FAQ of Essay on Domestic Violence

Question 1: Why is domestic violence an issue?

Answer 1: Domestic violence has a major impact on the general health and wellbeing of individuals. It is because it causes physical injury, anxiety, depression. Moreover, it also impairs social skills and increases the likelihood that they will participate in practices harmful to their health, like self-harm or substance abuse.

Question 2: How does domestic violence affect a woman?

Answer 2: Domestic violence affects women in terms of ill health. It causes serious consequences on their mental and physical health which includes reproductive and sexual health. It also includes injuries, gynaecological problems, depression, suicide and more.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Indian J Psychiatry
• v.57(2); Apr-Jun 2015

Violence against women: Where are the solutions?

Indira sharma.

Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

“If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?”

Mary Astel 1668-1731: Some Reflections upon Marriage (1706 ed.)

Dear friends, I am deeply honoured by the trust you have reposed in me and elected me to the highest office of the Indian Psychiatric Society. At this point of time, I would like to pay my respects to my revered teachers and seniors who taught me the ABC of psychiatry, mentored and blessed me all along my journey to this point. I salute (Late) Professor BB Sethi who admitted me to psychiatry. Dear Sirs, Prof. A. K. Agarwal, Prof. N. Lal, Prof. S. C. Gupta, Prof. Mata Prasad, Prof. C. K. Rastogi, Prof. A. K. Tandon, Prof. Prabhat Sitholey, and Dr. Ashok Trivedi, I thank you all wholeheartedly for all that you have taught me. I would like to give the credit to you all for this achievement. At this moment, I would like to remember my father (Late) Pandit Harish Chandra Sharma, a practicing lawyer at the Allahabad High court, for the enthusiasm he infused in me and for his lofty ideals, a few of which I have imbibed. I would like to dedicate this address to him.

I have chosen “Violence against Women: Where are the Solutions?” as the theme of my address on the following accounts:

• Violence against women is a social, economic, developmental, legal, educational, human rights, and health (physical and mental) issue.
• It is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in women
• The relationship between violence against women and mental illness has not been adequately explored.
• Application of laws related to violence in the setting of mental illness is difficult
• Despite the social and religious sanctions against it in all cultures, it has continued.

Responses by communities, religious institutions, government (various commissions), international conventions, stringent legislations and penal measures have failed miserably in containing the menace.

The recent gang rape of a medical student on 16.12.2012, by 6 persons (under the effect of alcohol) in a bus (the safest transport), in the presence of her friend (a male), during busy traffic hours (9.30 pm), for an extended period (>1 h), in the National Capital Region, whose Chief Minister is a lady, and with a lady as the president of the ruling party has rocked the country.

Violence against women is on the national agenda. Government is making frantic efforts to find solutions. The Justice JS Varma Commission has been set up.

The world has entered into a new millennium, but from the dawn of civilization till date, the woman of the patriarchal society of India continues to be oppressed and ill-treated. She is dependent, weak, exploited and faces gender discrimination in every sphere of life. The gender-based violence that threatens the well-being, dignity and rights of women, extends across social, cultural, economic and regional boundaries.

Instances of violence against women in ancient India are mentioned. Mahabharat cites the violence meted out to Dropti. Yudhishtir staked his wife Dropti in gambling and lost her, following which Duryodhana ordered his brother Dushasan to strip her in the royal palace and he attempted to do so, but Lord Krishna came to her rescue. Kans killed seven newborn babies of his sister Devaki. In modern societies also violence against women is a major public health problem affecting women and children.

While deliberating on violence against women and mental illness two cases deserve mention. First, the “Bobbitt” case[ 1 ] of an American couple, whose difficult relationship gained worldwide notoriety for an incident in 1993 when the wife severed her husband's penis with a knife. The penis was subsequently surgically re-attached. The wife stated that her husband sexually, physically, and emotionally abused her during their marriage, flaunted his infidelities, and had forced her to have an abortion. Her defense attorneys maintained that she was suffering from clinical depression and a possible bout of posttraumatic stress disorder due to the abuse. The jury found her not guilty due to insanity causing an irresistible impulse to sexually wound her husband. As a result, she could not be held liable for her actions.

Second, is AM,[ 2 ] a high profile rape case from Orissa. She was driven out of her house by her husband, disowned by her parents and brutally raped in front of her friend in 1999. She accused the former advocate-general of Orissa to have attempted to rape her and to have played a role in the incident of gang rape. Mishra alleged that her husband tried to prove her insane so that he could divorce her. She was admitted to a psychiatric nursing home in Rourkela, where she received six ECTs. Thereafter, she was admitted in Central Institute Psychiatry for over 9 months. However, mental disorder could neither be confirmed, nor refuted.

WOMAN'S PLACE IN SOCIETY

Indian Society has always revered women. In Hinduism, man and woman represent the two halves of the divine body. There is no question of superiority or inferiority between them. Hindu history is witness to the super-women, such as Gargi, Maitreyi and Sulabha, whose faculty of reasoning was far superior to that of ordinary mortals. Many female deities Saraswati, Durga, Laxmi, Kali etc., are worshipped across the country. According to the Mahabharat by cherishing the woman one virtually worships the goddess of prosperity.

On the darker side, the patriarchal system has continued since the time of Rig Veda. Customs and values were made by men to favour men. Women suffer this discrimination in silence.

Historically, the Indian woman has been made to adopt contradictory roles. The strength of a woman is evoked to ensure that women effectively play their traditional roles of nurturance as daughters, mothers, wives, and daughters-in-laws. On the other hand, the stereotype of “a weak and helpless woman” is fostered to ensure complete dependence on the male sex.[ 3 ]

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: THE EVIDENCE

Violence against women occurs throughout the life cycle from prebirth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood to senescence.[ 4 ] Most of the data are believed to be unreliable as many cases go unreported.

Cases of violence against women are steadily increasing in the country. According to the National Crime Record Bureau, India, there is one dowry death in the country every 78 h, one act of sexual harassment every 59 min, one rape every 34 min, one act of torture every 12 min and almost one in every three married women experienced domestic violence.[ 5 ]

Studies from India reported violence in 19– 76% of women (75%[ 6 ]–76%[ 7 ] in lower caste women; 42–48% in Uttar Pradesh and 36–38% in Tamil Nadu;[ 8 ] and 19% in an urban slum community of childless women.[ 9 ]) In Western India, 15.7% pregnancy-related deaths in the community series and 12.9% in the hospital series were associated with domestic violence.[ 10 ] In Uttar Pradesh, 30% men reported beating wives.[ 11 ] 22% of woman of childbearing age from a potter community were physically assaulted. 34% of those physically assaulted required medical attention.[ 12 ]

The population-based, multicenter based collaborative project of the study of abuse in the family environment (India-survey of abuse in family environment) was established in seven sites in India.[ 13 ] It looked at the association with poor mental health. A total of 9938 women participated (from rural, urban slum, urban nonslum areas). 40% reported experiencing any violence during their marriage. 56% had self-report questionnaire scores indicating poor mental health.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

The home is often equated with a sanctuary, a place where individuals seek love, safety, security and shelter. For some women, the home is a place that imperils lives and breeds some of the most drastic forms of violence perpetrated against girls and women. Violence is usually perpetrated by males who are, or who have been in positions of trust and intimacy and power e.g. husbands, fathers, fathers-in law, stepfathers, brothers, uncles, sons, or other relatives.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005[ 14 ] defines domestic violence as any act, omission or commission or conduct of the respondent, which includes threat or actual abuse.

In the 1996 survey of 6902 men in the state of Uttar Pradesh, up to 45% of married men acknowledged physically abusing their wives.[ 4 ] The National Health Survey conducted under the stewardship of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, reported that >1/3 of women (34%) between the ages of 15–49 years have experienced spousal physical violence.[ 15 ] The adverse health consequences that women experience due to violence are wide-ranging with physical, reproductive and sexual and mental health outcomes.

In a community-based study involving 450 women in Gujarat,[ 16 ] 42% experienced physical beatings and sexual abuse, and 23% experiences abusive language, belittlement and threats. It is interesting to note that 56% women belief that wife beating is justified.

The International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) in multiple centers in India reported that 85% of men admit they had indulged in violent behavior against their wives at least once in last 12 months. 57% of men admitted to have sexual abuse with their wives. 32% of men admitted to committing violence on their pregnant wives. The men indulged in violence to establish their power over the weaker sex. Subtle and insidious forms of violence include repeated humiliation, insults, forced isolation, limitations on social mobility, the constant threat of violence and injury, and denial of economic resources.[ 17 ]

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORK PLACE

A social worker (BD) was gang-raped by a group of the upper class, influential men, because she had tried to stop the practice of child marriage. The accused was acquitted by the trial court. This inspired several women's groups and NGOs to file a petition in the Supreme Court under the collective platform of Vishaka (Vishaka and others vs. State of Rajasthan and others).[ 18 ] It is a landmark case as it was the basis for Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment at workplace.

DOWRY RELATED VIOLENCE

The age-old practice of dowry has persisted and driven many women to suicide.[ 19 ] In 50 district court judgments, 1987–1989, Maharashtra, West India, there was dowry related violence. 120 cases of dowry deaths and 20 cases of intentional injury related to dowry were identified. There were intentional injuries, including physical violence (59%), mental torture 28%, molestation by family members and perversity (10%), and starving 3%.[ 20 ] The causes of death in the women who died were: Burns 46% and drowning 34%. It is worth noting that the women were very young-88% below 25 years; 58% of them were childless, and 22% had only female children.[ 20 ] Harassment by in-laws on issues related to dowry emerged as a risk factor for poor mental health. It is characteristic of the Indian setting.[ 13 ] Dowry related violence is on the rise in India. More than 5000 women are killed annually by their husbands and in-laws, who burn them in “accidental” kitchen fires if their ongoing demands for dowry before and after marriage are not met. On an average five women a day are burned, and many more cases go unreported.[ 4 ]

CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: RISK FACTORS

Psychiatric morbidity.

Regular consumption of alcohol by the husband has been strongly associated with poor mental health of women.[ 13 , 21 ] Alcohol has consistently emerged as a risk marker for partner violence that is specially consistent across a range of settings[ 22 ] for all types of violence.[ 23 ] Alcohol operates as a situational factor, increasing the likelihood of violence by reducing inhibitions, clouding judgment and impairing an individual's ability to interpret cues.[ 24 ] Others morbidities such as bipolar disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, delusional and antisocial personality disorder make the man more vulnerable to commit sexual crimes. There is evidence from many forensic cases (Bobbit, Manu Sharma, Nirbhaya etc.,) that alcohol was the common denominator in violence against women.

Sociodemographic factors

Patriarchy has been cited as the main cause of violence against women. Early (15–19 years;[ 25 ] 10–19 years),[ 26 ] and young age (31–39 years),[ 26 ] illiteracy,[ 26 ] coupled with low level of education, poor socioeconomic status,[ 13 , 16 ] women with no income of their own,[ 16 ] and urban domicile[ 23 ] have been cited as risk factors for domestic violence. Women engaged in small business and farming were more likely to be abused than women who were housewives or who had occupational status equal to that of husbands.[ 23 ] Where women have a higher economic status than their husbands and are seen as having sufficient power to change traditional gender roles, risk for violence is high.[ 23 , 27 ] Unmarried,[ 26 ] separated or divorced status or being in a live-in relationship[ 23 , 25 ] have been reported to be associated with violence against women.

Family factors

Exposure to harsh physical discipline during childhood and witnessing the father beating the mother during childhood is a predictor of victimization and perpetration of violence against his wife in adulthood.[ 13 , 16 , 21 ] Childlessness,[ 28 ] longer marital duration, having more children, extended family and large family size have been associated with victimization and perpetration of domestic violence.[ 13 ] In addition, the age-old custom of dowry and gifts for husband and in-laws has been found to be strongly related to violence against women in India.[ 13 , 21 , 23 ]

Married women with mental illness: The triple tragedy[ 29 ]

Women with severe mental illness are ostracized on three accounts, the female status, psychosis and separated/divorced status, which together constitute the triple tragedy.[ 29 ] For many women, it is a no-win situation. They are neither wanted at parents’ homes nor at their husbands’ homes. These women are helpless and suffer from a multitude of stresses that are unique to Indian culture[ 30 ] such as partial desertions, forced to live with the husband she hates, not being granted permission to enter her own home, being sent back to her parents every time her symptoms increase, parents being forced to pay for her medical expenses, not allowed to take her medication etc.

The situation with respect to marriage of women with mental illness in India is intriguing. It has been aptly described as the “Indian paradox” by Sharma and Tripathi.[ 31 ] All women must marry irrespective of the presence of mental illness. It is possible to marry women with mental illness, sometimes even when there is active psycho-pathology, because most marriages are arranged, and it is often possible to lure the other party with a handsome dowry. Despite violence being meted out to these women, they make frantic attempts for restitution of conjugal rights rather than for separation or divorce.[ 31 ]

Traditional and cultural practices perpetuating violence against women[ 4 ]

Female genital mutilation.

Two million/year undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) in the world. It takes place in 28 countries in Africa, in some regions of Asia and the Middle East and in certain immigrant communities in North America, Europe, and Australia. FGM can lead to death, infertility, and long-term psychological trauma combined with increased physical suffering.

Acid attacks

In Bangladesh, it estimated that there are over 200 acid attacks each year. Sulfuric acid attacks have emerged as a cheap and readily accessible weapon to disfigure and sometimes kill women and girls for reasons as varied as family feuds, inability to meet dowry demands, and rejection of marriage proposals.

Killing in the name of family honour

In several countries of the world including Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Turkey, and India, women are killed to uphold the honour of the family due to varied reasons such as-alleged adultery, premarital relationship (with or without sexual relations), rape, falling in love with a person the family disapproves, which justify a male member of the family to kill the woman concerned. It is rather disturbing that in certain countries (Jordan) the penal laws governing such crimes are lenient if the person committing the crime is below the age of 18 years. In India honour killings appear to be on the rise.

Early marriages

Early marriage with or without the consent of the girl, constitutes a form of violence as it undermines the health and autonomy of millions of girls. Nearly 12% were married by age 12, 26% by age 15, and 24% married by age 18.[ 16 ] The legal minimum age for marriage is usually lower for females as compared to males. In many countries, the minimum legal age for marriage with parental consent is considerably lower, than without it. More than 50 countries allow marriage at 16 and below with parental consent.[ 4 ]

Sociocultural factors disfavouring women

Stereotypes of gender roles have continued over the ages. The primary roles for women have been marriage and motherhood. Women must marry because an unmarried, separated or divorced status is a stigma. The custom of dowry is still prevalent in Indian marriages. Marriage cannot be dissolved. In the settlement of marriage, it is generally ensured that the woman is younger, nonworking, and less educated than her husband. Thus, the “brother-sister” or “father-daughter” model continues into marriage with the husband having the right to dominate and discipline his wife. After marriage the girl has to go to her husband's home, never to return to her parent's place. At her husband's place, she has to accept the prevailing norm of an inferior status of the “Bahu” (daughter-in-law), which means she should adjust and be tolerant and respectful toward all members of the family, including those much younger to her. She should not disclose her problems to anyone outside the home, nor take help from outside (not even parents). Husband is given a divine status. Relatives bless the husband “ Suhagvati raho ” (may your husband live long), or “ Phalo puto ” (may you bear fruits [children]); not the wife. She should bring money and gifts from parents on various festivals. She has nothing of her own. Without husband life has no meaning for her. Although the practice of Sati has declined, enforced widowhood is still prevalent. These sociocultural factors have continued over the years and have put women at risk for various forms of abuse.

Modernisation

Modern styles of living and rapid technological advances have also been blamed. Mobiles, ipads, television, computers, internet have become the order of the day. Women are moving out of the houses more freely and there is free mixing of the two genders. “Fashion, Drink, Dine and Make Merry” or “You live only once” culture is being promoted amongst the youth. Television and cinemas are portraying sexual material for making fast money. Pornographic material is easily available to many on the internet and through other ways.

Late marriages

Marriages are being delayed for various reasons with a trend toward getting married around 30, or even later.

Life stress

Poor quality of education, high competition in education and employment, corruption and inflation are the common stresses of the youth. The high-risk individual could be a young person, who lives away from his home, anxious and depressed, frequently views pornography and resorts to alcohol for recreation and relaxation.

Judiciary and law enforcement machinery

An insensitive, inefficient, corrupt and unaccountable judicial system and law enforcement machinery fails to deter against various forms of crimes.

Decline in moral and religious values

Population explosion.

Unplanned increase in population leads to many types of stresses, which indirectly contribute to the risk of violence against women.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

Communities’ response to violence.

A few women-initiated community-level responses to domestic violence are praise worthy. The Nari Adalat and Sahara Sangh initiatives have been organized by the Department of Education's Mahila Samakya Program in two districts of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Salishe, a traditional method, is being utilized by the Nongovernment Organisation Shramajibee Mahila Samiti in West Bengal. The ICRW conducted a television program in four channels entitled “Bol”. It created awareness among women.

Legislative response

International: There are a number of international Instruments to curb violence against women. The United Nations General Assembly resolution endorsed the urgent need for the universal application of women's rights of equality, security, liberty integrity and dignity. Article 55 and 56 of United Nations charter cast a legal obligation on United Nations organization to promote respect for equality and human rights.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 5, states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.[ 32 ] There have been three United Nations world conferences on women. One in Mexico in 1975, the second in Copenhagen in 1980, and the third one in Nairobi, wherein strategies were framed to promote gender equality and opportunities for women. These were based on three objectives: Equality, development and peace.

The Vienna Declaration, 1993[ 33 ] calls for action to integrate the equal status human rights of women. It stresses toward elimination of violence against women in public and private life. The Beijing conference, 1995[ 34 ] provided a platform for concentration on some of the key issues identified as fundamental obstacles to the advancement of majority of women in the world. It focused on issues such as discrimination against women, violence against women, etc.

The Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), 1981,[ 35 ] to which 166 countries are members, is a landmark document because it framed violence against women within the framework of human rights. It identified female as the primary risk factor for violence and broadened the definition of gender violence (to include all aspects of women's life).

Domestic legal remedies in India

The Constitution of India:[ 36 ] Article 14 is on equality.

Difference in treatment between men and women by the state is totally prohibited on grounds of religion race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 21 is on right to live; right to live with human dignity.

The National Commission for Women: It was set up as a statutory body in January 1992 under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990[ 37 ] to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women; recommend remedial legislative measures, facilitate redress of grievances and advise the Government on all policy matters affecting women.

The Supreme Court guidelines on sexual harassment at work place: For the first time, the Court drew upon an international human rights law instrument, the CEDAW to pass a set of guidelines. The Court defined sexual harassment at work place as any unwelcome gesture, behavior, words or advances that are sexual in nature. “It shall be the duty of the employer or other responsible persons in work places or other institutions to prevent or deter the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement or prosecution of acts, of sexual harassment by taking all steps required.”

The legislation relating to violence against women comprises the Indian Penal Code (IPC),[ 38 ] civil law and special laws.

Dowry and dowry death: The Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA), 1961[ 39 ] applies to all people, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis and Jews. Giving, taking or abetting the giving or taking of dowry is an offence, which is punishable. Several states (Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab) amended the DPA to give it more teeth. The law was found to fail to stall the evil.

Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances, within 7 years of marriage, and if shown that soon before her death, she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband for or in connection with any demand of dowry, such death shall be called “dowry death” and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death (IPC 304-B).[ 38 ] 113-B Indian Evidence Act, 1872, was inserted for the presumption as to dowry death.

Abetment of suicide of child or insane person: If any person under 18 years of age, any insane person, any delirious person, any idiot, or any person in a state of intoxication, commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and shall also be liable for fine (305 IPC).[ 38 ] However, the difficulty is that if it is shown the victim has major mental illness, the benefit of doubt is given to the accused and he is acquitted.

Abetment of suicide: If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable for fine (306 IPC).[ 38 ] 113-A of Indian Evidence Act, 1872, relates to the presumption as to abetment of suicide. The offences of dowry and abetment of suicide are cognizable, nonbailable and noncompoundable.

Sexual offences: A man is said to have committed rape if he has sexual intercourse with a woman against her will and consent; or with her consent when the man knows that he is not her husband or when she thinks that he is her lawful husband; or with her consent when she is of unsound mind or is intoxicated by herself or the man. However, sexual intercourse by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years, is not rape (375 IPC).[ 38 ] The latter provision seems deficient as it does not include marital rape.

Voluntarily having carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman, or animal is an offence for which the person shall be imprisoned for life and shall also be liable for fine. This provision is hardly used (377 IPC).[ 38 ]

Of cruelty by husband and relatives of husband: The willful conduct of the husband or his relative that is likely to drive the women to commit suicide or cause physical or mental trauma to her or harassment of a woman with a view to coercing her or any of her relative to meet any unlawful demand for property would be punishable by imprisonment for 3 years and fine (498A IPC).[ 38 ] This is the most widely used provision against domestic violence.

• Other offences in mentioned in IPC[ 38 ] are: Causing miscarriage (312 IPC), causing miscarriage without woman's consent (313 IPC), death caused by an act done with intent to cause miscarriage; if act was done without woman's consent (314 IPC), act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth (315 IPC) and causing death of quick unborn child by act not amounting to culpable homicide (316 IPC).
• The Family Courts Act, 1984:[ 40 ] The Act was established with a view to promote conciliation in, and secure speedy settlement of disputes relating to marriage and family affairs.
• The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.[ 41 ]: This Act prohibits the indecent representation of women through advertisements or in publications, writings, paintings, figures or in any other manner is prohibited.

The Commission of Sati (prevention) Act, 1987:[ 42 ] This Act is for the prevention and glorification of sati.

Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005:[ 14 ] The Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005 was enacted to provide for more effective protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and for matters connected thereto. It recognizes 4 types of domestic violence: Physical, verbal, and emotional (including not having a child or a male child, marrying without consent), and economic (including violence related to stridhan, dowry, property) and sexual (includes sexual abuse and marital rape).

The aggrieved person (AP) is a woman who has been in a domestic relationship with the respondent. The respondent is any adult male person who is, or has been in a domestic relationship with the AP and against whom the AP has sought relief. The AP or any person can complain directly (verbal), telephonically or via E-mail. There is provision for various orders (protection, residence, maintenance (monetary relief), custody orders and emergency help. There is also provision for assistance (counselor, police, and assistance for initiating criminal proceedings, shelter home, medical facilities, and legal aid).

The PWDVA is good in many ways. It is friendly to even to poor and illiterate women; it educates the woman regarding the rights and available assistance; provides many reliefs (which facilitate psychosocial rehabilitation), free legal advice and help to initiate legal proceedings against respondent; it attempts to restore the family; and last, but not the least, it empowers the woman. The main criticism against PWDVA is that mental illness in AP or respondent is ignored. Apart from this, there are mixed reactions toward few legislations, especially PWDVA, DPA and IPC 498A, because they have been frequently abused and are considered as “anti-men.”

DO WE HAVE SOLUTIONS?

Once rape has been committed, it confirms that all measures to stall violence have failed. Reaction in the form of declaration of enhanced punishment is largely an expression of helplessness and frustration. The emphasis should be on prevention and rehabilitation.

Legislation by itself would not suffice because violence against women is a deep rooted social problem. It is worth quoting late Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, who remarked: “Legislation cannot by itself normally solve deep rooted social problems. One has to approach them in other ways too, but legislation is necessary and essential and hence that it may give that push and have educative factors, as well as the legal sanctions behind it, which help public opinion to be given a certain shape.”[ 43 ]

Women cannot solve the problems by themselves. Women should understand men and men should understand women. Both should work together to eradicate the menace.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Mental illness.

Psychiatric illness should be identified and treated promptly. Patients with active symptoms should be kept in a protected environment till substantial improvement takes place. Many patients may need life-long protection e.g. those suffering from mental retardation or chronic schizophrenia.

Women with severe mental illness need special attention. Public awareness needs to be created with respect to the following:

• Women need protection but those with mental illness need more care and protection.
• The real problem is not mental illness, but the negative attitude toward it.
• Many medical illnesses create more problems in marriage, than mental illnesses.
• There should no double standard? If a woman can continue the marriage after her husband develops a mental illness, so can the husband. Similarly, people should be made to understand that if it is right to marry a son or daughter with mental illness, then the reverse is also true. A daughter in-law with mental illness should also be accepted.
• Good family support greatly improves the prognosis.
• Many women with mental illness prove to be better marriage partners and daughter-in-laws than those without mental illness.
• If the husband's family accepts the woman with mental illness, the society will also follow
• Woman with mental illness should be accepted with her illness.
• Violence is not the solution. Mental illness in the victim (e.g. depression) or perpetrator (e.g. alcoholism or schizophrenia) should be promptly treated.

Restriction on use of alcohol

There should be prohibition of alcohol use in mass gatherings in institutions, public places like trains and buses. The number of alcohol outlets should be decreased. The age for purchasing alcohol may be raised to 30 years. Special checks on festive occasions are recommended with the help of breath analyzers. Involuntary treatment of persons with alcohol dependence should be carried out.

Control on media

Sexual material should be censored. Good themes, which condemn violence and glorify rehabilitation of the victim, should be projected. Ban on pornography should be strictly implemented. The sites may be blocked.

Marriage of boys and girls should preferably be in early 20s, as soon as feasible, so that sexual needs could be satisfied in a socially appropriate manner.

Strengthening the institution of marriage

Strong marital bond would act as a deterrent. The “Shiv-Parvati” model should be promoted for Hindus.

Law enforcement

Efficient and accountable law enforcement machinery at all levels (administration, government, police and judiciary) is needed.

Legislation

Change in mind set of the judiciary.

This is the need of the day. Indira Jaising, Additional Solicitor General of India, aptly stated “It's time for India's courts to gaze inward and throw out deeply embedded patriarchal notions that stop judgments from being fair to women. Sexism within the system has to go before it does more damage in the country.”[ 44 ] A High Court judge in Orissa in his judgment once famously held “It was not possible for a man, acting alone, to rape a woman in good health.”[ 44 ]

Amendments in existing legislations

The Hindu Marriage Act (1955):[ 45 ] Mental illness may be removed from conditions of Hindu marriage. Not informing about past illness of mental illness should not be a ground for nullity of marriage.

PWDVA, 2005 and DPA, 1961: Assessment for mental illness may be incorporated in the code civil procedure so that the mental illness is identified in the victim (woman) and/or perpetrator (male relative) and promptly treated. This way violence can be prevented.

New legislations

New legislation is needed to provide for granting “Interim Relief” (A big sum of money that is paid by the perpetrator) to a victim of severe sexual assault. The money may be utilized for rehabilitation of the victim. Rehabilitation of the victims of brutal sexual assaults should be the State's responsibility. The legislation should provide for enhanced punishment for violence perpetrated against women with mental illness.

Appropriate application of laws in the setting of mental illness

This is often very difficult, nevertheless very important. Judiciary handling such cases should desirably have both legal (LLB) as well as medical (MD Psychiatry/DPM) qualifications.

Code of conduct

Code of conduct at work place, school and home, with respect to interaction with persons of opposite sex should be outlined and implemented.

Gender sensitization

Gender sensitization by parents and teachers is needed regarding the sensitivities and boundaries of man-woman relationships.

Education and employment

Improvement in quality of education and employment opportunities for youth.

Recreation and talent

Recreational avenues and opportunities for talent development in young people.

Moral and religious values

Parents and teachers should strive to infuse good moral and religious values in children and serve as role models.

Population control

Last, but not the least, If we are sincere we will get the results. Let us all say “No” to violence against women.

Domestic violence victims need shield in attorney character and fitness reviews, ABA says

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting by Karen Sloan

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Thomson Reuters

Karen Sloan reports on law firms, law schools, and the business of law. Reach her at [email protected]

Read Next / Editor's Picks

Industry Insight

Luc Cohen, Susan Heavey

David Thomas

Mike Scarcella, David Thomas

Karen Sloan

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Shapiro Faces Scrutiny Over Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Aide

The case has attracted renewed criticism now that Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, is on the short list to be Kamala Harris’s running mate.

By Sharon LaFraniere

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, who is on the short list to be Kamala Harris’s running mate, is facing renewed criticism for his handling of a sexual harassment complaint against a longtime top aide.

The state agreed to pay $295,000 last September to settle the complaint against Michael A. Vereb, then Mr. Shapiro’s head of legislative affairs and one of his closest advisers. An employee had accused Mr. Vereb of making repeated and graphic sexual overtures and then criticizing her job performance after she refused him. She resigned rather than continue to work for him, her only other option, she said in her written complaint.

Mr. Vereb, 57, kept his post for six months after his accuser first alleged misconduct. He resigned only after local reporters obtained a copy of the employee’s complaint, weeks after the settlement had been secretly reached. The governor’s office praised Mr. Vereb for his “dedicated service” when he left.

Mr. Shapiro weathered scrutiny last fall over his office’s response to the case, but it reignited in recent weeks as he became a front-runner to join Vice President Harris on the ballot. She is expected to announce her choice by Tuesday.

The National Women’s Defense League, a nonpartisan group founded in the wake of the #MeToo movement, asked the Harris campaign this past week to look into the case, saying Mr. Shapiro’s office “should have done a better job” in both preventing sexual harassment and handling the complaint. Democrats, including a candidate for Pennsylvania treasurer, have also taken aim at the governor for his office’s response to the allegations.

In a statement on Friday night, Manuel Bonder, a spokesman for Mr. Shapiro, said the governor “was not aware of the complaint or investigation until months after the complaint was filed.” Mr. Shapiro should have been notified of the allegations sooner, Mr. Bonder said, and he has now ordered that he be immediately informed of any such complaint against a senior staff or cabinet member.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Surgut map, satellite – loading . . .

Khanty-mansiyskiy avtonomnyy okrug - yugra, 🌍 surgut map.

Name: Surgut

Latitude: 61°15'00"N

Longitude: 73°25'00"E

City: Surgut

Region: Surgut

Region: Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug – Ugra

Region: Ural Federal District

Country: Russia