What are the possible underlying causes of the spurt of increased violence against women in public spaces in the last decade?

Individual Level Factors

At the individual level, several factors contribute to both perpetration and vulnerability to violence. These include:

• Aggression and Entitlement: Perpetrators often exhibit aggressive tendencies, coupled with a sense of entitlement and control over women. This is often rooted in deeply ingrained patriarchal attitudes.
• Substance Abuse: Alcohol and drug abuse are frequently associated with violent behavior, lowering inhibitions and increasing impulsivity.
• Psychological Factors: Past trauma, mental health issues, and personality disorders can contribute to violent tendencies.
• Victim Vulnerability: Factors like economic dependence, social isolation, and lack of education can increase a woman’s vulnerability to violence.

Relational Level Factors

Violence often occurs within the context of relationships, and several relational factors play a role:

• Unequal Power Dynamics: Relationships characterized by unequal power dynamics, where one partner exerts control over the other, are more prone to violence.
• Conflict Resolution Skills: Lack of healthy conflict resolution skills can escalate disagreements into physical violence.
• Marital Discord & Family Stress: Marital problems, financial stress, and family conflicts can contribute to domestic violence, which can spill over into public spaces.
• Dowry-related Violence: Though legally prohibited, dowry demands continue to be a significant driver of violence against women, particularly in North India.

Community Level Factors

The community environment significantly influences the prevalence of violence against women:

• Social Norms & Patriarchal Attitudes: Communities with strong patriarchal norms that condone violence against women create a permissive environment for such behavior.
• Lack of Social Support: Limited access to social support networks, shelters, and counseling services can leave victims isolated and vulnerable.
• Weak Community Policing: Ineffective policing and lack of community engagement can contribute to a sense of impunity for perpetrators.
• Increased Urbanization & Migration: Rapid urbanization and migration can disrupt traditional social structures and lead to increased anonymity, potentially contributing to higher rates of violence.

Societal Level Factors

Broad societal factors underpin the surge in violence against women:

• Patriarchal Structures: Deeply ingrained patriarchal structures and gender inequality are fundamental drivers of violence against women.
• Media Representation: The media often portrays women in stereotypical and objectified ways, contributing to harmful attitudes and normalizing violence.
• Economic Disparity: Economic inequality and lack of economic opportunities for women can increase their vulnerability to violence.
• Political & Legal Frameworks: While India has enacted laws to protect women, implementation remains weak, and legal loopholes often allow perpetrators to escape punishment. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, introduced stricter penalties for sexual assault, but conviction rates remain low.
• Rise of Social Media & Online Harassment: The proliferation of social media has led to a rise in online harassment, stalking, and cyberbullying, which can escalate into physical violence.
• Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic: Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased domestic violence due to economic stress, confinement, and limited access to support services. (National Family Health Survey-5 data, 2019-21)

Level of Analysis	Contributing Factors	Examples
Individual	Aggression, Substance Abuse, Psychological Issues	Perpetrator with a history of violent behavior
Relational	Power Imbalance, Conflict Resolution Deficits	Domestic violence escalating in public
Community	Patriarchal Norms, Weak Policing	Lack of reporting due to social stigma
Societal	Gender Inequality, Media Representation, Legal Loopholes	Low conviction rates in sexual assault cases