DEATH IN THE HOME: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
Abstract
Background: Domestic or Interpersonal Violence (IPV) remains a major global problem oftenresulting in morbidity and mortality. The present study was conducted to determine the scope of
deaths related to domestic violence in the Khyber Pakhunkhwa province, Pakistan. Methods: Data
were collected on all reported female fatalities due to domestic violence for the years 2009-2011
from the records of the department of Forensic Medicine, Khyber Medical College Peshawar for
analysis. Results: A total of 305 deaths were reported, showing an increasing trend of 115 deaths
for 2009-10 and 190 deaths for 2010-2011. The majority, 182 (59.7%) belonged to the rural areas
and 123 (40.3%) to urban areas of the province. Victims were generally of the younger age groups
(17% below age 16 and 42.3% between 17-32 years). Homicide was the manner of death in 293
(96.1%) while the most common causative agent was firearm injury (235, 77.1%). Head and neck
injuries were most common (52.6%) followed by the chest and abdomen (31.6%) while multiple
sites and extremities accounted for 15.8% of injuries. Conclusion: Young and adult females of
KPK province of Pakistan are susceptible to homicidal deaths due to domestic violence,
perpetrated through firearm injuries to the head and neck regions.
Keywords: Domestic violence, Interpersonal violence, Homicide, Firearm injury, Young females
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