Table of Contents

Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2
1.2 Context of the Study ........................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................................... 4
1.4 Research Question .............................................................................................................................. 6
1.5 Objectives of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 6
1.6 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................................... 7
Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Theoretical Framework ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Literature Review.............................................................................................................................. 10
Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Research Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 13
3.1 Case Study Design ............................................................................................................................ 13
3.2 Data Collection ................................................................................................................................. 15
3.3 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 16
3.4 Limitations of the Study.................................................................................................................... 17
Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
4.1 Factors Perpetuating Domestic Violence .............................................................................................. 18
4.2 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................ 23
4.3 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................. 24
Bibliography ............................................................................................................................................... 26

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 Chapter 1

1.1 Introduction

Violence unleashed on the people who are deemed weak and vulnerable in the society is

rising to the unprecedented levels leading to alarming trends. This dissertation delves into the

studying on the trends in the domestic against South Asian women within the British households

in an attempt of unmasking these worrying trends with a view of making recommendations that

will lead to well thought out mitigation measures. This section of the proposal presents the

context of the study, statement of the problem, research question, objectives and the significance

of the study. Additionally, this section of the dissertation will delve into demonstrating the

immense relevance and the contribution of this study in addressing the plight of South Asia

women in the British households.

1.2 Context of the Study

In every society, there are those special groups that need to be protected against some forms

of the abuses especially from the members of the society, deemed strong and capable of

unleashing such abuses. Women and children make up the larger percentage of the people that

are likely to be exposed to domestic violence. Ganley (n.d, p. 15) underscores that domestic

violence is a big problem with harsh repercussions including death, serious injury and chronic

mental and emotional health issues on the victim and the perpetrator. Hence, arguably, in spite of

the facts that it is the victims that bear the brunt of the vice, the perpetrators also suffer emotion

and medical issues in line with the ordeal. Therefore, both the victim and the perpetrator are

caught up in a web that is largely abusive. According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway

(2018, p. 5), domestics violence includes assault, harassment, kidnapping, forced sexual

encounters and other acts that can be deemed as reckless endangerment of the person. Thus,

2
domestic abuse entails cases of mistreatment of the individual in the residential areas.

Additionally, Ganley (n.d, p. 16) argues that domestic violence refers to a form of assaultive and

forceful behaviors, which comprises of physical, psychological and sexual attacks besides the

forceful economic practices that people use in manipulating their intimate partners. Therefore,

domestic violence is both physical and psychological. This is because the exposing of the

individual to the physical attacks, especially sexual attacks, leaves the victims with mixed

feelings about the ordeal. These feelings can border on resentment, low self-esteem, self-doubt

and emotional heartache that can grow to suicidal levels. Girishkumar (2014, p. 53) asserts that

domestic violence affects women regardless of their class, race, ethnicity, religion and

nationality. This assertion underscores that almost all women are likely to be exposed o cases of

domestic violence in their lifetime. Hence, underscores the magnitude of the problem that has

derailed the realization of the potential of the women, especially the South Asia women in the

British households. Consequently, Girishkumar (2014, p. 54) reveals that domestic violence

manifested in domination, control and forceful tactics to think and act in a given manner due to

undue duress has hindered societal development and progress, especially of the vulnerable

groups.

The Asian families form a significant part of the minority in British owing to their race

(Wiper, 2012, p. 38). Therefore, this entails that their vulnerability is further increased by the fact

that they come from a minority race. Consequently, Wiper (2012, p. 39) postulates that racial

exclusion has served to down play the plight of the South Asia women in the British households.

In recognition of the need to tame this worrying trends of the abuse on the Asian women in the

British households, several legislation and policy intervention have been put in place. According

to Izzidien (2008, p. 2), these policies include the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act

3
2004, the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and the Children Act 2004. All these policies have

been proposed to find a lasting solution in an effort of alleviating cases of domestic violence

among the South Asia women in the British households. Despite these policy interventions,

majority of the South Asian women in Britain are still trapped in various forms of domestic

abuse (Kaye, 2018, para. 2). Besides, majority of the domestic abuse cases go unreported hence

compounding the problem. It is against this backdrop that the study is geared towards collection

and analysis of data in an effort of making recommendations that will facilitate proper policy

measures and implementation procedures to alleviate this vice.

1.3 Statement of the Problem

The untamed domestic violence unleashed among the South Asia women in the British

households continues to increase despite numerous policy interventions. In spite of the

increasing trend of domestic, majority of the victims, do not report because of the fear and the

stigmatization that the resulting shame drags them to (The Guardian, 2015). Besides, the

relatives (Puri, 2007, para. 1) conceal domestic violence within the confines of the family.

Consequently, many of the women continue suffering in silence. Besides, compounding the

problem and nurturing a society that accepts domestic violence on women, this trend makes it

extremely difficult in addressing the menace. Even in severe cases where the victim can access

justice, this is greatly affected by the resigned nature on their plight. Hence, most of the

perpetrators of domestic violence continue escaping the long arm of the law.

All the forms of the domestic abuse have lifetime effects in which majority of the victims are

unable to overcome fully in their lifetime (Evans, 2007, p. 7). Besides, few that are overwhelmed

by the experiences and subsequent failure to deal with the effects of violence, end up committing

suicide. According to the domesticshelters report (2016, para. 1), 23% of the survivors of the

4
domestic violence have attempted suicide in their lifetime as compared to 3% of the normal

population. The suicidal thoughts are triggered by the ill feelings that border on low self-esteem,

self-doubt and guilty that come after individuals have been exposed to violence. Besides,

domestic violence on married women leads to adverse effects on the children that are brought up

in the dysfunctional families characterized by physical, emotional and mental abuse. According

to Ressler (2014, para. 10), children who are brought up in abusive relationships often exhibit the

anger, hostility and withdrawal. This throws light on the plight of the children and the

subsequent mental and emotional suffering that untamed incidents of domestic abuse expose to

the children. Hence, besides the South Asia women suffering domestic violence, their children

who witness the nasty episodes unfolding in majority of the cases too suffer mental and

emotional torture. This is detrimental as it affects the child security besides standing to affect the

child even in the adult stage. Todd and others (2010, p.111) contend that youths with an history

witnessing of domestic abuse on their parents are likely to exhibit antisocial behavior during

adolescence as compared to the youth that did not witness domestic abuse. This is facilitated by

the fact that the children with abusive parents often demonstrate lose bonds with their parents.

Consequently, these children have limited chances of being guided by the parents and therefore

they are likely to learn antisocial behavior in the process. Besides, Todd and others (2010, p.

111) assert that even a change of habit from the parent is not enough in curing the effects of the

emotional and mental effects that the children suffered after exposure to domestic violence.

Hence, this demonstrates that majority of the children that witness this worrying trends have the

effects if this experiences tormenting them for the rest of their lives. Conclusively, since majority

of these children exhibit antisocial behaviors, they are also likely to turn out to be abusers in their

future relationships. These damming effects of domestic violence on the victims and the children

5
necessitate a well thought out strategy to mitigate them. Otherwise, ignoring them will result in

an increase to unprecedented levels, culminating in deaths, serious injury, emotional and mental

suffering between the victim and the perpetrator. Additionally, the effects will are likely to

hinder the realization of the societal development as women under constant intimidation from

domestic violence will not be able to live up to their potential. Conclusively, unearthing of the

factors enhancing domestic violence among the Asian women in the British households holds the

pathway to formulation and implementation of the proper policies for the realization of the

domestic abuse free society among the majority of the South Asian women in the British

households.

1.4 Research Question

This study seeks to answer the following research question: What are the factors that

contribute to the increasing domestic violence among South Asian women in British household?

1.5 Objectives of the Study

The dissertation aims at realizing the following objectives:

a) To lay bare the issues of domestic violence among the South Asia women in the

British households.

b) To assess the factors that contributes to the increasing cases of domestic violence

among the South Asia women in the British household.

c) To make recommendations’ that will lead to the proper implementation of the well

thought measures in alleviating domestic violence on South Asian women in the

British households.

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1.6 Significance of the Study

In the realization of the universal human rights declaration, all the vulnerable groups must be

protected from the potential abusers. Therefore, the protection of the women in the South Asia in

the British households is paramount. This dissertation is crucial since it facilitates the

understanding of the factors that enhance domestic violence among women in the south Asia.

The exposing of the factors that continue to support this worrying trend is important as it leads to

proper conceptualization of the mitigation measures. Besides, it facilitates the understanding of

the vital societal trends on which this abuse is anchored. Therefore, makes it clear on the

approach that will address issues of domestic violence in totality.

Chapter 2

The chapter presents the theoretical framework and the literature review. The theoretical

section presents a detailed discussion on the tenets of feminist theory on which this study is

anchored. Besides, the potion on the literature review outlines the various studies whose findings

have shaped the topic under study.

2.1 Theoretical Framework

Crossman (2017, para. 2) postulates that feminism gender theory views the world in

manner that illuminates the social forces that create and boast inequality in the society,

oppression and injustice. The ultimate aim of the theory is to promote equality in the society and

justice for all the members of the society. In the larger society, being a woman or a man comes

with a connotation that affects the individuals and their roles in the society. According to

Simmonds (2012, p. 1) the biological division that surrounds men and women hinders the broad

7
conceptualization of the role of the women as far as life situation is concerned. This entails that

instead of the society appreciating this diversity; it has been used in enhancing gender disparity

and inequality. Most often, the women are disadvantaged in this narrow interpretation of their

role in line with their gender. Additionally, Kurang (2015, p. 5) affirms that the term gender is

socially constructed term in which the members of the larger society assign the role of the

individuals. Therefore, the concept of being female or male and the subsequent meaning and

allocation of the role and status in the society is by large a construction of the society. Thus, the

proponents of feminism theory seek to punch holes into this long held believe that perceives men

as superior to the women. The assigning and the concentration on the gender divisions that are

largely biological, depicts the onset of gender discrimination. This study adopts the key

assumptions of the feminist theory as compounded by Crossman (2012).

Feminism theory assumes that gender differences between men and women determine

their experiences in the social world. Accordingly, Crossman (2012, para. 4) argues that different

values attached to womanhood and femininity accounts for the main reason as to why men and

women experience the social world differently. Wolf and others (2015, p. 623) argues that in

most of the cultures the superior traits are associated to men, hence reinforcing the underlying

stereotypes that perceive men as superior to women. In this regard, the differences in gender

appear to strengthen the place of men in the society besides legitimizing their continued

domination in the society. Accordingly, it underscores that women should accept their place in

the society based on gender as second to man. In the case of the South Asia women, gender

differences strengthen the place of a man to an extent that domestic violence is tolerated to

alarming levels. The inability of the victims to report the matter on grounds of the shame on their

8
side underscores this exalting of the men among most of the South Asian women in the British

households (Kaye, 2018, para. 6).

Additionally, feminism theory assumes that the socially constructed meaning of the term

gender perpetuates gender inequality in the larger society. Crossman (2012, para. 5) postulates

the location in the society, her experiences in varying social situations besides being unique are

also unequal to those of men. This entails that the social interpretation of the gender is preceded

by the allocation of the role and status in the society. Due to the underlying belief on the

superiority of men as compared to women, men end up occupying the higher cadres as compared

to women. Therefore, this continues to perpetuate the gender inequality as men occupy the

privileged position while women are accorded low status in service of men. In the south Asia

women, their husbands occupy the place of privilege, which makes them abuse their women.

Besides, the feminist theory concurs that gender inequality also perpetuates gender

oppression. Crossman (2012, para. 6) postulates that women are not only unequal to men but also

an oppressed lot that continues to suffer under men. In most of the societies that are patriarchal in

nature, majority of the women are oppressed by their men counterparts in practices that largely

supported by the culture that continues to glorify men at the expense of the women. According to

Jóhannsdóttir (2009, p. 1) argues that patriarchy refers to the system of social structures and

cultural practices in which men dominate, exploit and oppress women. In most of this patriarchy

society, such domination of men is by large sustained by the cultural practices that exalt the

status of the men while placing women as subordinate to men. Hence, in this societal

arrangement, women resign to their oppressors. Accordingly, it leads to the putting up with the

abusers and their abusive practices. Mirza (2016, p. 1) notes that abuse of the South Asian

women in Britain is rooted in the complicated family structures and relationships. This assertion

9
indicates that the cultural practices and the conceptualization of relationships in the larger circle

of the family adds to the vulnerability of the women. Conclusively, the feminism theory

envisions valuable tenets that will be used to guide this study into arriving at the logical

conclusion. Accordingly, it provides a prism through which specific events pertaining the

unleashing of the domestic violence on the South Asian can be interpreted.

2.2 Literature Review

The plight of the South Asia women regarding to bitter feelings associated with

continued domestic violence has been an area of interest to many researchers and scholars. It

follows then, that this area that invokes a humanitarian concern has attracted a number of studies

with a view of understanding this worrying trends besides the formulation of the research led

recommendations to address this situation. A study that was conducted by Samuels, Jones and

Gupta in 2017 tackled cases of intimate violence among the South Asian communities.

According to this study, various factors at the individual and community level facilitate the

probability of women being abused by their intimate partners. Accordingly, the study revealed

that higher economic status of women, good relationship with the husband, few children, and

higher economic status of the family is attributed to reduced cases of intimate partner violence

while discriminatory social norms and beliefs fuel abuse at the community level (Samuels and

Others, 2017, p. 7). It is demonstrated that women with higher earning power are less likely to be

abused as compared to the women who are earning less. This is because the high earning women

are empowered through education and economic status makes them less tolerant to abusive

partners. On the contrary, in most of the low economic status, most of the women are not

empowered through education nor economically. Therefore, majority of these women depend on

10
their men for survival and personal upkeep. Hence, they are vulnerable as compared to the

empowered women. Additionally, most of the discriminatory social norms rank the women

lowly and at the mercy of their men counterparts. This leads to their increased susceptibility and

the eventual possibility of being abused by their partners.

On the other hand, a study by Rossiter in British Colombia set out to find ways of

preventing and reducing cases of domestic violence among the women. This study utilized on

online sources and conducting interviews from key informants. Accordingly, the study

concluded that there are three major approaches of taming the widespread cases of domestic

violence among the rural, refuges and the immigrants’ women. The three approaches expounded

by this study incorporate primary, secondary and tertiary approaches. Primary approach aims at

creating awareness in the community on domestic violence by education its members while

secondary approach targets individuals at the risk of being victims or perpetrators to reduce the

nature of the violent attacks while tertiary approach narrows on the individuals’ already

perpetrating or experiencing domestic violence (Rossiter, 2011, p. 17). The arguably wide

approach to prevent and eventually reduce the occurrence of the cases of domestic violence

recognizes that the entire community plays a role in the prevention of these attacks on women.

Additionally, the education of the individuals at the risk of being perpetrators of domestic

violence is fundamental as it helps in shaping individuals that do not perpetuate violence. This

can be attained through empowering the individuals with the alternative conflict ad resolution

skills besides enhancing the establishment of the better working relations among the spouses.

Besides, guiding and counselling the perpetrators of the domestic violence and bringing them

before justice will serve as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in domestic violence.

Since majority of the cases involving domestic violence among women are directly proportional

11
on the social norms and the beliefs of the society, educating the entire population on the role of

women helps in reconstructing the gender narrative and leads to reduced cases of domestic

violence.

Again, a study conducted by Tosing using qualitative research approaches explored

domestic violence on South Asian women in the larger Hong Kong. The study found out that

traditional belief, role of the wife and mother, importance of family, the stigma associated with

divorce and entrenched gender inequality determine women’s perception, experiences and the

eventual response to the abusers (Tosing, 2014, p. 3). Additionally, the study found out that other

structural factors surrounding the legal status, immigration and availability of the services serve

to increase the susceptibility of women as far as domestic violence is concerned. Most

significantly, the study identified the lack of assistance to the plight of the immigrant women

enduring the most of domestic violence as a sole factor that enhances the perpetuation of

domestic violence on this kind of women (Tosing, 2014, p. 3). Majority of the immigrants,

notably the women are financially challenged and therefore this hinders them from accessing

justice. Besides, dependency on their abusive partners increases their vulnerability and

helplessness that serves as an encouraging factor to the men counterparts that indulge in

domestic abuse. Hence, clearly, the immigrant women are more likely to be abused as compared

to the other women who are nationalities of the given states.

A study by Punita that adopted the constructivist grounded theory, utilized 84 married

women from South Asia, living in Britain on the study that set out in exploring the financial

narratives of economic abuse on the south Asian women. The study found out some of the

pervasive financial trends that lock out women. These trends include barring the women from

obtaining economic resources, preventing them from benefiting from the resources, refusing to

12
contribute and exploiting the women’s resources (Punita, 2017, p. 459). The economic

marginalization of the South Asia women disables their opportunities of empowering themselves

to withstand the domestic violence trends that are unleashed on them. Consequently, the

exclusion and the exploitation of the women in the economic aspects, besides being abusive also

pushes most of the women down the detrimental path towards being victims of the domestic

violence. These studies converge on the factors that facilitate the rise of the domestic abuse cases

that engulf majority of the women in the South Asia communities. However, this detailed

literature review underscores the glaring absence of the literature covering factors for the

increased domestic violence among the South Asia women in the British households. Therefore,

this study is tailored towards collecting and analyzing data to fill this academic void.

Chapter 3

Research Methodology

This chapter of the dissertation sets out to discuss the research methodology. In

particular, in seeks to present in detail the research design adopted by the study, strategies

employed in determining the sampling techniques and methods of collecting and analyzing data.

Additionally, this section will delve into demonstrating the limitations of the study and the

address the issues of reliability and generalization of the findings of the study.

3.1 Case Study Design

The study will adopt the qualitative approaches and strategies as part of its research

methodology. Most significantly, the study adopts the case study research design. According to

13
Zainal (2007, p. 2), case study research design is a type of the design that facilitates the study of

data within a given set of the context in a meticulous manner. Thus, in the case study design, a

given set of data resulting from a specific context is studied closely with an aim of understanding

the case and subsequent comparison of the case and other cases from different contexts but with

arguably similar trends. Additionally, Susan (1997, para. 1) emphasizes that case study research

design guides a detailed study on contextual occurrences with an aim of explaining other

occurrences that assume the similar trend. In this study, the case study design emerged as the

most appropriate as provides room for the conduct of the detailed and in depth study on the

contextual events. This thorough study of the specific events is beneficial to the study as it

facilitated the acquisition of the deeper knowledge on the factors that continue to facilitate the

increasing domestic violence among the South Asia women in the British households. In

particular, this study will adopt the explanatory case study research design as lens through which

the study will make its findings. Yin (2014, p. 7) argues that in expounds on the diverse

competing explanations of the specific events under the study with an aim of offering a

convincing explanation how the presented sets of explanation can be used to make inferences

and worthy explanations on other events that are of the similar nature. In this case, delving into

other studies conducted on the plight of the South Asian women, one is able to understand the

plight of the South Asia women in the British households. Conclusively, this study will reap the

benefits that come with the use of the case study research design since it will be in a position of

studying the factors that promote the rising cases of the domestic violence among the South Asia

women in the British households.

14
3.2 Data Collection

This study will make use of secondary data. Kothari (2014, p. 111) argues that secondary

data refers to the data that is already collected and analyzed by someone else. Secondary data is

obtained from books, publications, journals, periodical reports, magazines, websites and

government and non-governmental research reports. To pick out on the most appropriate

secondary sources that enhance the realization of the objective of the study, this study will adopt

a purposive sampling technique of collecting data. According to Gentles and others (2015, p.

1776) argues that in purposive sampling entails the selection of the data that will illuminate the

theoretical propositions of the researcher’s case study. Therefore, in purposive sampling strategy

the researcher exercises discretion in the choice of the data that will considered by his study.

This is very beneficial as it saves time by limiting the focus of the researcher to the sources of

the data that are likely to the underlying research questions carried in the study.

Secondary data will facilitate this study since it saves on time and money. Contrarily, to

the primary data, where the researcher has to go to the field to collects data, the secondary data is

already collected and therefore readily available for analysis. Moreover, the use of the secondary

data lowers the travelling costs associated with getting to the research area to collect data. Since

secondary data is collected by, the experts and reviewed thoroughly before, being presented it

meets the professional threshold. Besides, it covers wide scope in relation to primary data, which

often covers a small area hence significantly hindering on the attainment of the objectives of the

study

15
3.3 Data Analysis

The will make use of the content analysis strategy in the analysis of the collected

secondary data. According to Mayring (2000, p. 7) postulates that content analysis refers to

empirical tactics, methodological meticulous analysis of texts within their set of communication,

applying content analytic procedures and step by step models. In content analysis, the researcher

studies the secondary data with aim of developing a clear understanding and grasping of the core

concepts to understand the communicative role of the concepts in a given context. Accordingly,

in this study all the concepts that expound on the factors that enhance the domestic violence

among the South Asian women in the British households will be highlighted for detailed study

on their implication to the topic under study. The content analysis emerged as the most apposite

mode of conducting data analysis due to its flexibility of facilitating the researcher in making

similar and acceptable inferences of data in line with a specified context (Elo &Kyngas, 2007, p.

108). Additionally, the fact that content analysis analyses content in a given context blends well

with the case study research design on which this study is anchored. In the execution of the

content analysis, the researcher selects the unit of analysis, which is the context unit. The reading

of the source of the data, a crucial stage facilitates the understanding of data and aids in the

dissecting of factors that account for the increased cases of domestic violence among the South

Asia women in the British households. Open coding is performed to give the unit of analysis

codes that makes it ease in the identification of the recurring unit of analysis apart from

promoting comprehensive grasp of the data. The coded data reflecting the unit of analysis was

grouped into categories for subsequent analysis on the factors attributed to the cases of domestic

violence among the South Asia women in the British households.

16
3.4 Limitations of the Study

The limitations of the study emanate from the choice of the research methodology and the

research design methodology that the study adopts. In this use of the secondary source of data

sidelines the targeted population which otherwise is a good source of data in this particular study.

Therefore, the adoption of secondary data robs the study the opportunity of benefitting from the

information presented by the primary participants who are the South Asian women in the British

households. Moreover, the choice of the case study research design delves into an analysis of the

single event in a given area in the broader society. Therefore, this limits the study from making

in depth insights on the wide-ranging scenarios that stands to benefit the study. This limits the

ability of the study to arrive at general conclusions that can be generalized in events that are

similar to the one under the topic of study. Additionally, content analysis relies on the subjective

interpretation of the unit of analysis. Consequently, raises the chances of the researcher being

consumed in subjective opinion at the expense of objectivity. Besides, the availability of funds

coupled with limited time restrict on the study.

However, the choice of the overall research methodology is by large effective in ensuring

that the study meets the objectivity of the study and aids answering the research question

perfectly. Therefore, despite the research methodology espousing these challenges, accurate

usage and following keenly on the outlined research techniques eliminates the possibility of the

challenges surrounding the research methodology influencing the study negatively.

Consequently, the attainment of the objective of the study is secured.

17
 Chapter 4

The chapter presents the factors that enhance domestic violence of the South Asia women

in the British households. Additionally, the chapter draws conclusions of the study besides

making key recommendations that will facilitate the formulation and implementation of the

policy directives that will eliminate domestic violence among the South Asia women in the

British households.

4.1 Factors Perpetuating Domestic Violence

Political, social and economic factors are attributed to the rise of domestic violence

among the South Asia women in the British households. Social factors are embedded in the

cultural practices, norms and the values embraced by the particular society. Besides, the

traditional institutions’ such as marriage espouse the social aspects that have been used to violate

the rights of the women besides leading to entrenched domestic violence in the society.

Additionally, the socially constructed role of the woman and the assignment of the status in the

society is arguably a practice that strengthen the perpetuation of domestic violence among the

women. Sangha (2014, para. 6) abhors that culture is setting the women up for a dangerous life

of living under constant threats and infliction of the domestic related violence. In what appears to

be vicious cycle, the boys are learning from their fathers and taking up domestic violence. Hence

this is likely to be a chain that will be extremely difficult to break. In particular, Sangha (2014,

para. 8), singles out patriarchy, social norms and the attitude among the men as some of the

cultural elements that fuel domestic violence among the South Asia women in the British

households. Accordingly Tracy (2007, p. 574) asserts that patriarchy fuels power struggle among

women and men and in this setup men will always resort to violence whenever they feel that

their domination is being challenged. In most of the societies and in particular concerning the

18
families that originated from the South Asia, men dominate the society and hence it is assumed

that they are superior to men. Therefore, in this context almost all the privileges’ are reserved for

men as women occupy a supportive role that serves the latter. In this particular societal

arrangement, their men counterparts that feel that everything should be about them and absolute

dominance over the women turn abusive. Consequently, in most cases this privileges’ are abused

leading to the increased cases of domestic violence. Hunnicutt (2009, p. 553) also concurs that

since patriarchy epitomizes power, dominance and gender, it has a direct influence on the

domestic violence unleashed against women in most of the societies. Therefore, it is clear that

widespread and long tolerated trend of exalting men at the expense of women, has served to

perpetuate and entrench domestic trends among majority of the South Asian women in the

British households.

On the other hand, lack of education has played its part in the unending domestic

violence unleashed among the South Asia women. Marium (2015, p. 42) observes that educated

women have an ability of narrowing down the communication level between them and their men

counterparts. This leads to improved communication between husbands and wives and therefore

facilitates in creating an understanding between the parties in marriage. Consequently, owing to

this established communication, the cases of the domestic violence reduce significantly. Hence,

it is apparent that in this line acquisition of education will facilitate and empower women in

challenging the established patriarchy hence reducing the reported cases of violence.

Comparatively, lack of education among the majority of the women in the South Asia leads

strengthening of the patriarchy in the society and consequently facilitates the cases of domestic

violence among women. Besides, women with education can influence the choice of the husband

and hence they are likely to be exposed to less cases of domestic violence as compared to the

19
uneducated women who cannot effectively influence the choice of the man that marries her.

Mohee (2011, p. 3) agrees that educated women have begun challenging and interpreting the

Islamic dogma that favors men from a different angle. This underscores that educated women are

able to redeem themselves from the claws of domestic violence. Therefore, in comparison the

educated women are less likely to be abused as compared to the uneducated that are prone to

domestic violence.

Additionally, the deep-seated attitude on the domestic violence-aiming women

contributes to the increased cases of domestic violence among the women. Flood and Pease

(2009, p. 126) argues that the perpetration of violence against women, individual and

institutional responses and women’s own responses to the violence is purely dependent on the

long established attitude among the members of the society in regard to domestic violence

unleashed to the women. This affirms that attitude plays a key role in shaping the attitude that

nurtures either domestic violence among women or the one that condemns and rebukes the

violence. Kaur (2015, p. 138) notes that attitudes of men towards women and their role in South

Asia communities is shaped by the family upbringing, religion, education and the underlying

societal patriarchy. In majority of the South Asia communities in the British households prefers

in marrying a traditional wife, an immigrant from the South Asia (Wiper, 2012, P. 38). This

throws light on the attitude of men. They are looking for a woman who has embraced the dictates

of the society and walks by them. This type of the women have accepted patriarchy as the order

of the day and therefore most of the men have no problem with them since they are likely to get

away with anything prescribed in the culture. Hence, these women will end up being abused

since men are already having an attitude of looking for a partner, resigned to fate and that they

can easily dominate. Besides, the cultural aspects and subsequent interpretation of the marital

20
obligations has tied most of the women into abusive relationships. In particular, the idea that

reporting violence subjects a woman to ridicule and shame in the society has seen most of the

women put up in abusive relationships. This encourages domestic violence as a man develops

some form of impunity. Conclusively, the social aspects and the long held cultural practices

continue to hold women hostage in the domestic violence besides perpetuating it since the

society has developed attitudes that favor the spread of the domestic violence as opposed to

taming them and ensuring that women too get their rightful position in the society. Hence,

culture and the construction of the role of the women and allocation of duties in the society have

strengthened the vulnerability position of the woman. Consequently, majority of the women are

likely to be abused in their lifetime compared to the men counterparts.

Moreover, skewed allocation of the resources in the society and the pervasive laws that

direct the inheritance and ownership of the property have sidelined majority of the women from

the economic mainstream of the society. The stripping of women the economic privileges’

bestowed among men is not only the beginning of inequality but also setting up women into a

helpless state that makes them vulnerable to domestic violence. According to Fraser (2012, p. 2)

economic empowerment of the women and subsequent involvement in the income generating

activities is inversely proportional to domestic violence among the women. This indicates that

empowered women are less likely to be abused as compared to women who do not engage in any

income generating activity. Accordingly, Mendel (2012, para. 1) affirms that it is evident that

economic empowerment of women has a positive correlation reduced cases of domestic violence

unleashed on the women. On the contrary, Jatfors (2017, para 2) asserts that domestic violence

hinders the ability of the woman in realizing economic empowerment as it impacts negatively on

her employability, income earning ability and the progression on the corporate ladder. Therefore,

21
in most of the areas where the women are exposed to domestic violence, they have very slim

chances of rising above their economic predicaments that fuel their vulnerability to domestic

abuse. Consequently, they become trapped in this lifestyle and they continue to experience

increased cases of domestic violence to unprecedented levels. In the case of the South Asia

women in the British households, most of them are secluded from economic empowerment and

therefore experience random domestic violence, as they are helpless.

On the political aspect, the patriarchal society and the ideals that suppress women already

spell out a seeming difficult road for the women that want to leave their footprints in the politics

and the political participation in the society. The patriarchy that allocates women the lowest

position in the society entails that women are less likely to rise and participate in the political

formations in the society. Besides, the dominance of men makes their participation beyond reach

with the daring ones being put off by the constant probability of being abused. Rahayu and

Venny (2014, p. 1) observes that studies conducted on the political participation of the women

indicates that patriarchy, obstacles by the party and the electoral process are major constraints

that are affecting the women willing to participate in politics. The uphill task that woman face in

participating in politics at the society level indicates that their plight will not be emphasized as

part of the reformation agenda. Consequently, condemned in the voiceless situation, they are

likely to continue to suffer in silence since the men that adore the patriarchy may not highlight

their plight with the necessary zeal. Conclusively, the hindering of the women in the

participation in the politics entails that’s they are secluded from the formulation of policy.

Hence, it facilitates their continued exposure to domestic violence.

22
4.2 Conclusion

In spite of the various policy interventions, South Asia women in the British households

continue to endure the most of the increased domestic violence. Violence unleashed on these

helpless women has led to loss of life, serious injury and humiliation of the women. Besides, it

has aggravated the economic woes among the women. Additionally, the exposure of the children

to these alarming trends of domestic violence has resulted into the perpetuation of the vice from

one generation to another. This is because the children, in particular the sons, learn the bad

trends and eventually turn into abusers.

Cultural orientation and the practices that are built on patriarchy is greatly associated

with the constantly increasing cases of domestic violence among the south Asian women.

Besides, the embraced social norms and values continue to entrench these abusive trends into the

core of the society. Additionally, the attitude of the perpetrators’ and that of the women being

abused too contributes to the increasing domestic violence cases among the south Asian women.

This is because the attitude of the perpetrators’ is that they are doing the right thing while that of

the women is more inclined towards accepting the trend. Moreover, the feelings associated with

reporting domestic violence serve to enhance these worrying trends. The fear of being shamed

and the stigma that comes with divorce has seen majority of the women put up with the cases of

domestic violence in an effort of keeping their image. Consequently, majority of the domestic

abuse cases have largely gone unreported. This entails that the perpetrators escape the long arm

of the law besides escaping punishment that may necessitate their change of habit. Conclusively,

the exclusion of the south Asia women from the mainstream economic activities has facilitated

domestic abuse by increasing the vulnerability surrounding the south Asian women.

Additionally, the exclusion of the women from the participating in the political arrangement of

23
the society entails that they unable to push for the policies that clearly and effectively address

their plight. This entails that they are further condemned to a position of voiceless and the

continued cases of domestic violence extended to them. Hence, these factors serve in

perpetuating the constantly increasing domestic violence against the south Asian women in the

British households in spite of the numerous policies that have been formulated to address this

worrying trends of violence unleashed to women.

4.3 Recommendations

The study recommends that in an effort of fighting against the domestic violence cases

among the south Asia women in the British household, there is a need of initiating programs that

empower these women economically. This includes the income generating activities, which

enable them to meet their basic needs and run their lives without depending on their spouses

entirely.

Active steps need to be undertaken to ensure that women are psychologically empowered

to overcome the feelings of shame that make them not to report cases of domestic violence. It

will be fundamental in educating the entire family of the negative effects of domestic violence

unleashed to the women. It leads to developmental stagnation and general backwardness of the

larger society. Moreover, the exposure of the children on the myriad of the cases of domestic

violence affects them and influences majority of them in engaging in the antisocial behavior.

It is important to educate men and the perpetrators of the domestic violence in order to

facilitate the reconstruction of the concept of gender in the larger society so that men can start

seeing their women counterparts from a different light.

There is need of punishing the perpetrator of the domestic violence severely so as to deter

other members of the society from engaging in such practices. This can only be achieved if the

24
concerned authorities devise ways of identifying the perpetrators of domestic violence even

when the victims of the violence are unwilling to report such cases. This will ensure that all the

perpetrators’ are forced to account for their mistakes.

The study recommends extensive implementation of all the policies that have been

formulated to address and tame cases of domestic violence, among the south Asia women in the

British households. Therefore, the human rights movements need to step up and implement

mitigation measures that will alleviate cases of domestic violence from the larger society. The

plight of the South Asia women must be addressed fully in spite of the fact that they are

immigrants.

25
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