Nepal’s support system fails women survivors of psychological abuse
Summary
Women survivors of psychological abuse in Nepal face significant challenges in accessing appropriate legal and psychosocial support due to gaps in recognition, training, and service availability.
Key Points
- Psychological abuse is recognized under Nepal’s Constitution and Domestic Violence Act but often goes unacknowledged by families, communities, and frontline institutions.
- Survivors face dismissive attitudes and lack of effective legal and counseling support from institutions like police and the National Women Commission.
- There is a shortage of trained psychologists and standardized trauma-informed care, with many relying on inadequately trained counselors or nurses, particularly outside Kathmandu.
- Activists emphasize the need for integrated legal and psychosocial support, improved training for service providers, and increased accessibility especially in rural areas.
