Journal of Women's Health Care
Open Access

Abstract

?Sexual Assaults to Women in Remote Rural Communities?

Shakuntala Chhabra*, Naina Kumar and Tejane H

Background: Sexual violence (SV) is a public health problem with long-lasting impact on physical and mental health of the woman. Present community-based study was conducted to know about burden and consequences of sexual assaults (SA) suffered by rural women in remote villages. Methodology: Community-based study included 2500 randomly selected tribal women of age ≥20 to ≤49 years residing in 140 villages, willing to undergo personal in-depth face-to-face interviews, lasting for 15-20 minutes for each participant. Information regarding SV suffered at home, workplaces was collected, by trained nurse midwife using written semi-structured questionnaire. Results: Of 2500 women interviewed, majority (57.7%) belonged to 20-29 years of age, (45.3%) educated up to primary level, laborers (45.4%), and of lower economic class (48.8%). Of 2500 participants, 1690 (67.7%) women suffered from either marital rape or were sexually assaulted by close relatives and/or family friends once or sometimes or frequently. Of women interviewed, 911(36.4%) reported SV at workplaces, 336 (36.9%) by family members working at same places, 192(21.1%) by friends, 111(12.2%) by colleagues, 102(11.2%) employers, 92(10.1%) by police and 141(15.5%) by others. Only 57.0% of women who suffered SV at home sought help, compared to 100% of women who suffered SV in workplaces. Conclusion: The number of SV sufferers is high and remains hidden. Rural, young women, with low levels of education, laborers, belonging to lower economic class were sexually assaulted by husbands, relatives at home, workplaces more often. Hence, societal changes, formulation of policies, strict laws and change in attitude are very essential.

Published Date: 2023-10-21; Received Date: 2023-09-19