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. The aim of the study is to find out the status of early adult hood experience of violence in female. 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.


INTRODUCTION
Violence as a result of gender conflicts that pervades social stratification and ethnic groups is reiterated. 1 College women are at greater risk for rape and sexual assault than women in the general population or in a comparable age group. 2 The perpetrator in sexual violence crimes knew the victim in 67% of the cases and was a stranger in 33% and seventy-five perpetrators (28%) were members of the victims' families.In 14% of cases, the perpetrator was the victim's father and in 9% her stepfather.The abuse had occurred on multiple occasions in 29 % of the cases. 3The occurrence rate of abuse was highest in the summer season (54%). 4out 90% of survivors on a college campus know the person who assaulted them. 5Case histories revealed that the inability of young women to communicate effectively with their peers and sex partners, lack of self-esteem, job insecurity, and other socioeconomic problems made them vulnerable to these abuses. 6e aim of the study is to find out the status of early adult hood experience of violence in female.

METHODS
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in an Institute in Lalitpur, Nepal from July to August, 2016.Permission was taken from the institute and informed consent was taken from the respondents.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.Pre-testing was done among 10% of same level of female students of in another institute in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal.Data were edited, coded, tabulated and analyzed by using according to SPSS.The results were interpreted by frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation.

RESULTS
Almost half 43 (48.3%) of the students were of age 17 followed by 18 years 26 (29.2%).Majority 73 (82%) of the students followed Hindu religion.Majority 72 (80.9%) of the students were from nuclear family.
Majority 72 (80.9%) father of female students were literate.Among them, almost half 34 (47.2%) have attained secondary level of education.Almost three fourth 66 (74.2%) mother of female students were literate.Among them, 29 (43.9%) have completed secondary level of education.

*Multiple response questions
Cent percent of the students have heard about violence.More than two third 64 (71.9%) have answered the act that is perpetrated against someone's will followed by abusive sexual act 49 (55.1%).Majority 82 (92.1%) of the students had answered female as the most vulnerable sex for violence (Table 1).
Equality for male and female 7 ( Offenders should be hanged Raise voice of women 6 (6.7) Separate place for boys and girls in public 3 (3.4) Agencies should be established 2 (2.2)

DISCUSSION
One of the studies showed that the lower the income and years of formal education, the greater the rates of violence. 7Results in this study also indicated that more than three fourth of the female students (75.3%) were victimized during 11-19 years.That indicates that lower the years of formal education and age more risks of violence.
In this study more than half (57.7%) were victimized during summer season.Similar result was shown by another study where the same percentage of the occurrence rate of abuse during summer season (54%). 4his study showed that more than three fourth of the female students' (75.3%) were victimized or had some form of violence.One of the study had showed that more than half the women (51.9%) reported having experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. 8hat evidence proves that female are more vulnerable than others.This study showed that stranger and friends were the most common perpetrators of violence.Similar finding was reported by Puri & Cleland (2007) where perpetrators included co-workers, boyfriends, employers, and relatives. 6A study data showed that: 21% of college students reported having experienced dating violence by a current partner and 32% experienced dating violence by a pervious partner. 9Majority (92.1%) of the students had answered female as the most vulnerable sex for violence which is supported by WHO multidisciplinary study which showed women consistently reported higher rates of violence than men. 8garding the views of the students for the prevention of violence, more than one third (38.2%) told strict punishment to the offenders followed by awareness programme (36%), strict cyber violence laws (24.7%), strict rules and regulations (19.1%),capital punishment to the offenders (18%) which is supported by the study of Krebs et al., (2007). 4One of the study stated that specially campus safety initiatives and bystander education models should be discussed which is supported also this study by encouraging the preventive measures as well as focusing on bystander education models. 2The limitation of the study is that this was conducted only in one institute among limited students.

CONCLUSIONS
College going female students are more vulnerable to physical, verbal, emotional as well as sexual violence or abuse.Awareness program at various levels has to be conducted to the girls regarding the violence.Strict rules and regulations along with strict punishment to the offenders have to be implemented to reduce the violence among girls.In the long run, this will help to reduce the complications that arise out of violence.

BY
Silwal et al.Lifetime Experience of Violence in Early Adulthood Female

Table 3 . Prevention of Violence. What should be done to prevent violence n (%)
Silwal et al.Lifetime Experience of Violence in Early Adulthood Female