Impact of crime on women and their families in rural haryana- a sociological appraisal

Crime against women and children in form of domestic violence is a major concern in India and impacts severely on their health, self-confidence and social prestige. Especially children experience family violence as a witness and/or a victim. The communities’ native to the state of Haryana in India is primarily patriarchal, burdened with age old regressive mindset under the socio-cultural and religious structures which discriminate against women. Therefore, it was important to bring to light the issues affecting women in this region. So this study focused on studying the consequences of crime on victim women and their families. Two hundred women were randomly selected and out of these, one hundred and twenty, who were affected with some kind of violence, were interviewed. Data were collected and statistically analyzed for physical, psychological, inter-family and societal consequences of violence on these women. 58.83 per cent women felt gynecological problem regarding physical consequences. In case of psychological problems 66.66 percent of respondents who felt anxiety. At family levels, 40.0 per cent respondents felt that atmosphere was unsuitable for children, while 39.16per cent respondents reported denial of human rights/basic needs by husband. The societal consequences reported were affected your relationship with friends and neighbours (44.16%) and resulting humiliation and demeaning remarks from others (38.3%). The impact of violence on women had an adverse effect on children. 36.7% children felt responsible for abuse and powerless to stop it, 29.16 per cent reported living with fear. Concerted efforts are required to curb violence against women in Haryana.