Editorial | Break Silence, Save Lives

Kashmir does have laws prohibiting domestic violence. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act entitles victims. However, inefficient enforcement puts many women at risk. Police normally treat cases as “family issues.” Courts are slow. Survivors are pressured into withdrawing the complaint. Laws which remain on paper mean nothing. Authorities need to guarantee speedy reporting mechanisms, fast-track courts, and effective sanctions. Protection orders need to be issued immediately. Helplines must operate 24/7 with trained responders. Justice can’t wait.

Survivors require more than legal assistance. They require shelters, medical care, counseling, and financial empowerment. Safe houses are extremely scarce in Kashmir. Victims are forced back into abusive homes because they have no alternative. The government has to finance shelters for each district. Hospitals need to have trained personnel to identify and report abuse. Psychological counseling should be free and accessible. Economic empowerment is crucial. Most women remain silent because they are dependent on the abuser. Job training, micro-loans, and skill development can empower survivors to rebuild their lives.

Silence shields abusers. Violence at home flourishes when neighbors, relatives, and friends turn a blind eye. Families instruct women to remain quiet in order to “preserve honor.” This silence kills. Communities need to bear responsibility. Religious leaders, teachers, and local elders must voice opposition to violence. Awareness campaigns in villages, schools, and mosques can transform attitudes. Individuals need to know that violence is a crime, not a personal problem. Men need to be an integral part of the solution. Boys need to learn respect and equality from an early age. Stopping violence is not a women’s problem alone. It is a community problem.

The media in Kashmir tend to report conflict and politics, but domestic violence does not find space often. This quiet preserves the issue. There are newspapers, television stations, and radio stations that must provide space for survivors. Continuous reporting will force authorities to take action and raise awareness. Social media campaigns can disseminate information rapidly. Narratives can dispel stigma and encourage victims to come forward for assistance. The media can agenda set the public. It needs to shed light on domestic violence.

Education determines values. Schools should incorporate the study of equality, empathy, and respect. Teachers need to be trained to recognize indicators of a child’s abuse. Many children who grow up with violence at home take trauma into adulthood. Some learn that abuse is customary. This cycle can be broken through early education. Studies on mental health, gender equality, and conflict resolution need to be part of the curriculum. Respect in the home starts with respect learned in classrooms.

In a time of mobile phones and the internet, technology can be a blessing. Emergency apps, SMS support lines, and WhatsApp support groups can link victims with assistance in real-time. Police need to utilize digital tracking to keep tabs on abusers who violate restraining orders. Anonymous reporting features can empower victims to speak. Campaigns through short videos and online seminars can spread awareness even to remote locations. Technology needs to be harnessed to safeguard and not to dominate.

Domestic violence is not a matter of private shame. It is an outrage against human dignity. In Kashmir, where war already left us so wounded, silence around domestic violence only adds to the misery. Legislation is in place, but laws must be given teeth. Survivors require protection areas, economic assistance, and social support. Society needs to shatter the culture of silence. The media needs to speak out. Schools need to educate for respect. Technology needs to work protection.

If Kashmir is to heal and become, homes need to be secure. All citizens have an obligation to act. Call it out if you witness abuse. Stand with survivors without judgment. Name and shame abusers. The struggle to end domestic violence is a struggle for justice, for safety, and for human dignity. It has to start now.