Exploring Women’s Resistance to Legal Remedies Against Domestic Violence in Pakistan

In this research I will explore the variables behind the women‘s resistance to seek legal remedies against domestic violence in Pakistan. I focus on the experiences of three domestic violence victims and also interviewed a lawyer to trace and understand women‘s experiences as part of a broader system and structures. I utilize the theory of continuum of violence (Cockburn, 2004) to understand the intertwining of different forms of violence that impact victims and limit their choices and behaviours. Using a qualitative methodology including in-depth semi-structured interviews and a close critical reading of the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act of 2016, I argue that the domestic violence victims in Pakistan face physical violence, in addition the justice system and law also perpetuate structural violence that hinders women‘s way to access justice. These, largely invisible social, legal and cultural pressures, combined with the fear of shame and blame from society and family, lead many victims to suffer in silence. My data analysis and literature research reveals the existence of a continuum of violence that operates on multiple levels from the hidden to the physical (visible) structures of state and family.