Vol. 11, Issue 2, Part B (2025)

Abstract

Domestic violence is a global crisis impacting individuals irrespective of gender, socioeconomic background, and culture. It manifests in physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, with profound health implications for survivors and their families. Despite legislative frameworks and preventive mechanisms, domestic violence remains severely underreported due to societal barriers, cultural norms and judicial inadequacies.

Landmark cases such as A. Ramesh Babu vs. Dharani S (2024), the Supreme Court Public Interest Litigation following the suicide of a tech executive amid domestic violence allegations, and the Delhi High Court ruling on relationships in the nature of marriage (X v. Y, 2025) provide crucial insights into legal loopholes, judicial challenges, and necessary reforms.

This study examines the psychological impact of domestic violence, the efficiency of legal frameworks, law enforcement involvement, alternative conflict resolution mechanisms, and the significance of rehabilitation programs. It incorporates findings from Understanding Domestic Violence against Women: Causes, Consequences, and Interventions (Mahadevaswamy & Nathawat, 2023), expanding on the social and psychological dimensions of domestic violence. By integrating case law, psychological research, and policy analyses, this paper advocates for a multi-dimensional approach encompassing legal protection, mental health interventions, rehabilitation, and community-driven prevention strategies.