Domestic Violence: A Risk Factor to Child Abuse in Pakistan

The relationship between child abuse and domestic violence in the lower socio-economic families in Pakistan was focused with the assumption of high prevalence of child abuse in families with high domestic violence. Sample comprised 73 children (43 girls & 30 boys) of 7-12 years and 73 mothers. The data were collected from suburbs of Lahore. Measures used were Child Abuse Scale (Malik & Shah, 2007) and Conflict Tactics Scale (Straus & Gelles, 1986). The results suggested high child abuse in the families with high domestic violence. Domestic violence, family size, and mothers' education were significant determinants of child abuse, whereas fathers' education did not contribute in domestic violence. The results are discussed in peculiar social context of Pakistan.