Domestic Violence and Its Causes: Why Does It Happen?
By: Prof. Dr. Hj. Ciek Julyati Hisyam, M.M, M.Si
(Expertise in Sociology of Deviant Behavior, Jakarta State University)
The trend of domestic violence is likely to increase if the economic situation and government policies are not too pro-people.
Research shows that economic pressure is a major factor in domestic violence (DV) against wives. However, there are no definitive figures on the percentage of domestic violence cases against wives due to economic pressure.
Some factors that contribute to domestic violence due to economic pressure include:
– *Economic instability*: Stress due to economic pressure can trigger conflict in the household, potentially leading to violence.
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– *Unemployment and poverty*: These factors can increase the risk of domestic violence.
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– *Coercive control*: Perpetrators of domestic violence may use financial control as a means to control their partners.
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– *Online gambling*: Online gambling problems can worsen a family’s economic situation and increase stress, which can lead to domestic violence.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) reports that domestic violence in Indonesia remains a serious problem, with 289,111 cases of violence against women in 2023. Although there is no specific data on the percentage of domestic violence cases due to economic pressure, economic factors are cited as the main trigger for domestic violence.**
Jakarta, August 10, 2025
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