Abstract

Though the legal system and society view domestic abuse as a gender-specific crime, where only women are considered as victims and men as offenders, it is clearly a ubiquitous problem in India. Although progressive in many areas, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) clearly excludes male victims from its protective scope. This study aims to clarify sometimes the disregarded reality of males who experience domestic abuse—from psychological and emotional manipulation to physical violence—abuse that is routinely denied, underwritten, or ridiculed because of dominant gender norms. This study critically investigates the systematic neglect, legal silence, and institutional vacuum surrounding male victimizing in India by means of doctrinal legal analysis, empirical references, media reports, and comparative viewpoints from jurisdictions with gender-neutral domestic violence laws. It also looks at the society standards of masculinity that discourage men from getting treatment and the lack of support systems including helplines, shelters, or legal remedies for them. The study underlines that appreciating male suffering strengthens the equality before the law rather than lessens women's rights. It advocates inclusive policies guaranteeing protection for all victims of domestic violence, regardless of gender, as well as gender-neutral legal changes and better data collecting. Through addressing this legal blind hole, the study adds to the larger conversation on justice, equity, and human dignity in India's changing sociopolitical scene.

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