In 2006, Chennai-based Ambika got married but soon after, she faced her husband’s abuse and financial neglect. When her situation worsened, she attempted to take her own life by setting herself on fire.

Surviving burn injuries, she received aid from a non-profit, the International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care. Today, Ambika is rebuilding her life, working as a welfare officer, and raising her two young daughters.

The NGO’s founder, Prasanna Gettu, established the organisation in 2001 to support women experiencing domestic violence. “It is high time we rethink our society’s approach to women’s safety and well-being,” she says.

PCVC provides a 24×7 helpline and operates 11 one-stop centres across Tamil Nadu to offer immediate support to survivors.

Prasanna explains ways to create safer environments for women in India, where one in three ever-married women experiences physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from their husbands.

1. Breaking the cycle of violence:  “Every family must take responsibility — in how we communicate at home and how we ensure equality in the upbringing of both girls and boys. The way parents argue and shout in front of children matters,” she says.

2. Teaching kids about respectful relationships: Education about respectful relationships should be part of school programmes, helping change attitudes that normalise violence.

3. Valuing survivors’ strengths:  Survivors should not be seen as cheap labour. Instead, opportunities should align with their strengths, including access to education.

4. Sensitising officials: Local police and support systems need to be sensitised to handle domestic violence and sexual violence cases with urgency and care, distinct from regular crime cases.

5. Community responsibility: Neighbours and community members should actively support individuals experiencing abuse rather than ignoring the issue.