Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence: Analyzing the Effectiveness of Domestic Violence Acts in Practice

Abstract

Domestic violence is still an endemic global problem, eroding the security, health, and dignity of millions, especially women. Notwithstanding the promulgation of elaborate legal codes in the majority of nations, the effective impact of these laws in practice continues to be uneven and frequently undermined by enforcement loopholes, cultural stigma, and bureaucratic inertia. This research critically analyzes the enforcement and effect of domestic violence laws, primarily in India, but compares insights from the United States, United Kingdom, and some European Union countries. Based on a quantitative approach, the research evaluates a decade of secondary data (2012–2022) from official legal sources such as the National Crime Records Bureau (India), Bureau of Justice Statistics, and Crown Prosecution Service. The main indicators of reported cases, prosecution and conviction rates, and issuance of protection orders are analyzed to assess legal responsiveness. The research also incorporates region-specific indicators to bring out urban-rural disparities in reporting, as well as across Indian states, to elucidate systematic barriers in influencing both access to justice and judicial outcomes. Findings indicate a steady rise in reported cases and conviction rates, particularly post-2020, influenced by increased awareness, digital access, and policy reforms. However, significant implementation gaps persist, especially in rural regions, where social stigma and lack of legal infrastructure impede effective redressal. The paper underscores the need for integrating legal reforms with digital tools, survivor-centric services, and inter-agency coordination to strengthen protective mechanisms and ensure equitable access to justice.