Domestic Violence Laws in the United States and India A Systematic Comparison of Backgrounds and Implications

Domestic Violence Laws in the United States and India is a comparative study of the domestic violence laws in India and the United States, seeking to illuminate the critical issues of intimate partner violence through the lenses of these two societies. Sims, Goel, and Sodhi believe society at large and systems of justice define and address domestic violence, and that both play significant roles in the form and prevalence of domestic violence . They juxtapose the ancient and traditional Indian laws with those of the United States as India seeks to take its place as a major, industrialized nation with progressive laws to protect the mostly female victims of domestic violence. Sims, Goel, and Sodhi explore the different ways domestic violence manifests itself, including dowry deaths in India, the "rule of thumb" law in the United States, and the multiple varieties of physical and mental violence in both societies.

Barbara Sims is Professor and Coordinator of Criminal Justice at Mars Hill College, USA.
 
Sudershan Goel is Advocate for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, India.
 
Ravi Sodhi is Advocate for the Punjab and Haryana High Court, India.

1. Introduction and Scope
2. Laws of the United States
3. Laws of India
4. International Human Rights Law
5. Lessons and Moving Forward
6. Conclusion