Dowry as a factor of violence in Marriage: A study of Women seeking help in Family Counseling Centers in Chandigarh** By

A review of cases reported at the Family Counseling Centers (FCCs) in Chandigarh shows that dowry is a significant factor for marital discord. 36.2 % of the married women who approached the FCCs complained of dowry-related violence. This violence manifested itself in physical, emotional and economic forms. Most women turned to their parental families for help against this violence (29.3%), and only 12.1 % approached the police and even fewer, 10.3%, approached NGOs. In an overwhelming majority of cases (44.8%), the parents submitted to the dowry demand; only 12.1 % filed a complaint with the police and just over 15 % sought separation or divorce. Clearly, dowry is a deep-rooted social evil, whose victims are either reluctant or unable to get redress from the law enforcement agencies meant to support them or the NGOs