Paper 05

This study examines domestic violence on women and children and related trauma issues in Taungoo District from a Theravāda Buddhist perspective. It has two main objectives: to investigate the impacts of domestic violence on women and children and to suggest preventive and coping mechanisms for victims based on Theravāda Buddhist teachings. A qualitative ethnographic research design was employed to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ lived experiences. Data were collected through interviews and observations involving twenty participants, comprising ten women and ten children who had directly or indirectly experienced domestic violence. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that domestic violence takes various forms, including physical assault, verbal abuse, emotional and psychological harm, economic control, sexual coercion, neglect, threats, abandonment, and controlling behaviour. Women experienced physical injuries, humiliation, fear, anxiety, depression, social stigma, economic insecurity, loss of dignity, and loss of trust. Children experienced direct abuse, exposure to violence against their mothers, fear, nightmares, emotional insecurity, social isolation, behavioural difficulties, neglect, and disruption to their education. Emotional suffering was common among participants, demonstrating that the consequences of domestic violence extend beyond visible physical injuries. The findings further show that violence on women and children is interconnected and affects the entire family system. From a Theravāda Buddhist perspective, non-harming, loving-kindness (mettā), compassion (karuṇā), Right Speech, mindfulness, patience, wisdom, moral responsibility, good friendship, and abstinence from intoxicants are important principles for preventing violence and supporting victims. However, Buddhist patience should not be understood as passive endurance of abuse. Genuine compassion requires protecting victims, preventing further harm, and providing appropriate support. The study concludes that domestic violence is a serious social, psychological, moral, and spiritual problem requiring coordinated responses from families, communities, religious leaders, professionals, social organizations, and relevant authorities.