Bangkok: – Thailand’s capital is the hotbed for domestic violence and sees a highest number of suicides in comparison to the rest of the country.
To mark Family’s Day on April 14, three advocacy groups have launched an awareness campaign by releasing a report on domestic violence.
In cooperation with Thai Health Foundation and Stop Drink Network, the report has been compiled by Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation.
Based on 368 news reports on domestic violence cases in 2014, the highest incidents were about murder in the family (62.5 per cent), followed by family-related suicide (20.38 per cent), physical assault (12.23 per cent) and sexual violation of family members (3.8 per cent).
About one in five cases happen under the influence of alcohol.
Wives or girlfriends account for almost 59 per cent of victims in assault involving husbands or boyfriends.
Less than 20 per cent of wives would hit back at the assaulting husbands. Some 11 per cent of girlfriends would initiate an attack on boyfriends.
Almost 70 per cent of husband-wife disputes stem from jealousy.
In cases involving children and parents, almost equal numbers of incidents are about parents beating children and about teenagers assaulting parents.
Bangkok is at the top list of domestic violence as well as suicide cases, followed by Chon Buri, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ayutthaya and Prachuab Khiri Khan.
The youngest victim of suicide was 10 and the oldest was 82.
For incest cases, 28 per cent are related to father-child sexual violations and 21 per cent involve brother and sister violations.
Chon Buri, Ang Thong and Udon Thani are at the top list for incest cases.
In family-related sexual abuse, a two-year-old baby is the youngest victim of sexual abuse by stepfather. And a 71-year-old grandmother was raped by nephew.
