0
0
New Delhi — In a staggering revelation that underscores a “silent public health crisis,” a comprehensive new study published Wednesday in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet estimates that 23% of women in India aged 15 and older—nearly one in four—experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in 2023.
The findings, part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023, provide the most detailed map to date of the physical and mental health toll wrought by violence. Perhaps most disturbingly, the research also highlights a pervasive history of trauma: more than 30% of Indian women and 13% of Indian men reported experiencing sexual violence during their childhood.
A Global Health Emergency
The study, led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, paints a grim picture of global violence. Worldwide, an estimated 608 million women aged 15 and older have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by a partner. Even more pervasive is the reach of childhood sexual violence (CSV), which the study estimates has affected over 1 billion individuals globally.
“These findings fundamentally challenge the persistent view of sexual violence against children and intimate partner violence as primarily social or criminal justice issues,” stated Dr. Luisa Sorio Flor, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor at IHME. “They underscore their status as major public health priorities.”
The Indian Context
While the global figures are alarming, the data specific to India suggests a deep-rooted crisis. The prevalence of IPV in India (23%) remains high, contributing significantly to the country’s disease burden.
The study links these experiences to a cascade of long-term health consequences. For victims, the violence is not just an isolated event but a chronic health risk factor comparable to high blood pressure or smoking. The researchers identified compelling evidence linking IPV to eight distinct negative health outcomes and childhood sexual violence to fourteen, including:
-
Mental Health Disorders: Anxiety, major depressive disorder, and increased risk of self-harm.
-
Chronic Diseases: Higher rates of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
-
Infectious Diseases: Increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections.
Globally, the study attributes approximately 145,000 deaths in 2023 directly to intimate partner violence—mostly through homicide and suicide—and a further 290,000 deaths to the long-term effects of childhood sexual violence.
Expert Perspectives
Medical professionals emphasize that these statistics likely represent only the “tip of the iceberg” due to chronic underreporting caused by stigma and fear.
Tanuja Babre, a mental health expert not involved in the study, noted in a reaction to the findings that violence remains one of India’s “least-addressed public health crises.”
“We do not have updated national data [daily], and yet every day violence is driving anxiety, depression, and self-harm among women and children,” Babre said. “The trauma of violence disrupts the body’s stress response systems, leading to inflammation and chronic illness decades after the abuse has stopped. This is not just about bruises; it is about the fundamental biology of survival.”
Dr. Anita Zaidi, President of Gender Equality at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, added that the rigorous data brings “long-overdue clarity” to the scale of the problem. “The evidence is unmistakable: these harms are far more pervasive and far more damaging to health than previously understood,” she said.
Implications for Public Health
The Lancet report argues that healthcare systems must pivot from treating violence solely as an injury to treating it as a systemic health determinant. For Indian healthcare providers, this means routine screening for history of violence could become as standard as checking blood pressure.
However, the path forward is fraught with challenges. The highest prevalence rates for both IPV and CSV were found in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia—regions where healthcare systems are often already overstretched.
“Addressing violence against women and children is a crucial public health priority that can save millions of lives,” the study authors wrote. They called for:
-
Strengthened Legal Frameworks: stricter enforcement of existing laws protecting women and children.
-
Gender Equality Initiatives: programs to dismantle the patriarchal norms that normalize violence.
-
Survivor Support Services: expanded access to trauma-informed mental health care and safe housing.
What This Means for You
For readers, this data serves as a crucial reminder that violence is a health issue, not a private matter. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of anxiety, chronic pain, or depression, it is vital to consider whether past or present trauma could be a contributing factor. Healthcare professionals are increasingly trained to provide support and confidential resources for survivors.
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.
References:
-
Primary Study: Flor, L. S., et al. (2025). “Disease burden attributable to intimate partner violence against females and sexual violence against children in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023.” The Lancet. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02503-6. Published December 10, 2025.
-
Expert Source: Tanuja Babre, Mental Health Expert (Program Coordinator at iCALL Psychosocial Helpline), quoted via The Indian Express, December 10, 2025.
