Citation

Jayasuriya V, Wijewardena K, Axemo P. Violence Against Women 2011; 17(8): 1086-1102.

Affiliation

University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1077801211417151

PMID

21890530

Abstract

This article presents findings from a cross-sectional community survey exploring intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in the Western province of Sri Lanka. Findings show that lifetime prevalence of physical violence (34%), controlling behavior (30%), and emotional abuse (19%) was high and the prevalence of sexual violence was low (5%). Young women and those with partners who abused alcohol/drugs and had extra-marital affairs are at increased risk of violence. Although living in a patriarchal society, low prevalence of child marriages and lack of dowry-related violence could be to Sri Lankan women's advantage relative to their Asian counterparts in preventing IPV.

Language: en