Household survey on domestic violence in Cambodia.

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence of domestic violence in Cambodia. Specifically it surveys domestic violence according to prevalence and types of physically violent behaviors; attitudes and perceptions; contributing factors; and its relationship to child abuse. Interviewing 2764 households consisting of 1374 women and 1286 men gathered data. Findings revealed that 16% of all women surveyed reported that they are physically abused by their spouses and 8% acquired injuries mostly in the head. More than 10% of men interviewed reported that they physically abuse their spouses. This abusive behavior is associated with drinking but not significantly with the level of womens education. Moreover the largest proportion of these abused women does not usually seek help but for those seeking assistance they are more likely to contact their neighbors than their parents or relatives. On the other hand 67.5% of respondents believed that hitting their children is a form of disciplinary action. And women were more likely to do the hitting. An association was also noted with those abused women and their tendency to hit their own children. Thus these results should serve as an eye opener and calls for education campaign and advocacy.