International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Women Survivors of Violence: Psychological Aspects

As a mental health professional providing psychological help, I find that though there is pronounced violence against women in India but it is not announced. A culture of silence exists. Often women come to see me with complaints of unhappy marriage, chronic depression and intense anxiety and only in the course of intensive therapy they share that they have suffered massive violence. Quite a few of them initially feel that it is not a big deal. This is so because our culture idealizes women who tolerate suffering. Since early childhood they are encouraged to sacrifice their needs and desires and be subservient to men and elderly women. As our work progresses they realize that there is immense pain and helpless rage associated with having suffered violence. These suppressed feelings lead to multiple psychological and medical problems. They also recognize that their inability to take a stand against violence perpetuates further violence.Read More