Srinagar, Aug. 25 -- Domestic violence laws were enacted with a vital purpose protecting individuals from abuse within the sanctity of their homes. For decades, survivors most often women suffered in silence, denied safety, justice, and dignity. The enactment of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, alongside provisions like Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (214IPC) (now Bharti Nayay Sanhita), marked a transformative moment in India's legal and social landscape. These laws were not just legislative milestones; they became lifelines offering protection, empowerment, and accountability.

Even today, these protections remain crucial in a society where gender-based violence and deep-rooted inequalities persist. They h...