Lifetime Experience of Violence in Early Adulthood Female

Abstract

Introduction: Despite political commitment and a supportive legal and policy framework, violence against women remains a significant problem in Nepal. Nepal Demographic and Health Survey reported more than one in five women experience violence in lifetime. Three fourth of women who had experienced physical or sexual violence had not sought any help.  Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in an Institute in Lalitpur. Accessibility sampling was used to find out the experience of violence from their childhood to this date. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaire was distributed to the female students. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Frequency, mean, percentage and standard deviation were calculated. Results: More than three fourth 71 (79.8%) of the female students were victim of violence and among them most 67 (75.3%) were at age of 11 to 19 years. Majority 63 (70.8%) were victimized from strangers followed by friends 11 (12.4%). Teasing 55 (61.8%) and unwanted touching 35 (39.3%) were the most common type of violence. Most 51 (57.3%) were the victim while traveling by public vehicle and walking on road 47 (52.8%). More than half (57.7%) were suffered <5 times. One third 34 (38.2%) told strict punishment to the offenders followed by awareness program 32 (36%) for the prevention of violence. Conclusions: Majority of the female students were victim of violence and offenders were young adult. Awareness program, strict rules and punishment to offenders should be implemented to prevent the violence among girls.