Nature and impact of domestic violence against women in slum community : a study in Dhaka City

In Bangladesh, domestic violence against women is not a problem of women only. It creates obstacles towards peace, happiness, advancement and development of family, society as well as the nation. This article mainly deals with the nature and impact of domestic violence against women in slum of Dhaka city. Data were collected using survey and case study methods. Findings show that most women of slum in Dhaka city are affected with domestic violence. Wives of illiterate and primary educated couples experienced more domestic violence than wives of secondary educated couples. Physical, mental, economical and sexual are the nature of domestic violence. Whereas wife beating, stop maintenance and pressure for dowry are the main forms of violence. The causes of domestic violence are dowry, marital conflict, extra-marital relationship, poverty, drug addiction, and so on. The bad impacts are social, physical, mental, economical and sexual; where negative impact on children, unwillingness to life, supporting and maintenance problem, family disorganization, marital conflict, physiological problem and physical trauma are most common. Besides these psychological depressions, conflict, low family bonding, possibility of separation and divorce in future are common. All of these have serious impact on their family and social life.