25-Year-Old Domestic Violence Victim Succumbed To Burn Injuries In Chennai

TW: Mention of suicide, domestic violence, self-harm and mental abuse.

Today in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, a 25-year-old woman succumbed to injuries due to burns in a hospital. Commuters at a bus stand found her yesterday with 90% burns along the highway and rushed her to a hospital, but unfortunately, she could not be saved.

In her dying declaration, she told the police that she was unhappy with her marriage and received no support from her parents as well.

One cannot even imagine the extent of torture that she must have undergone, which led her to take this extreme step as the last resort.

Why are women forced to stay in abusive marriages?

A woman harbours several dreams about her marriage. But most often the toxic and abusive nature of her spouse gets revealed only after marriage. And the only people whom she would first turn to seek help are her parents.

Sadly, not all parents are supportive of her decision to end the marriage. Irrespective of the tortures and mental trauma that she is subject to, a woman is advised to stay with her spouse to safeguard a family’s name.

Some women sadly continue to stay with an abusive partner due to societal pressures, children, and financial dependence, a few others commit suicide having drowned in depression.

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How can this be prevented?

• The stigma associated with a failed marriage must stop. A woman’s family must understand that her mental peace and happiness is important and identify the red flags of an abusive marriage quite early.
• A victim of an abusive marriage must be encouraged to step out and seek help instead of being mute and tolerating the atrocities from her partner. When parents cannot help, independent organizations and helplines can step in.
• An educated and financially independent woman will find it easier to step out from an abusive marriage. Education and job security for a woman must be given utmost importance.

Men must be sensitized

Men must be sensitized that marrying a woman does not grant them the rights and privileges to torture her. She deserves respect, love, understanding and support from them.

Abusive men must be punished strictly by law to avoid such unfortunate happenings in the future.

If our readers or someone they know are in a dangerous or life-threatening situation, please seek help.

Follow this link to know how to report domestic violence.

Women’s helpline number to raise your voice against domestic violence: 1091

Assistance for someone who is having suicidal thoughts is available on health helpline 104 and AASRA suicide prevention helpline 91-9820466726

Image source: Golib, free and edited on CanvaPro

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