Silence Hurts: Prasanna Gettu’s Vision to End Domestic Violence in India

Every third ever-married woman in India has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence by her husband during her lifetime. This staggering statistic is not just a number—it is a reflection of the deep-rooted gender inequality and normalized abuse that permeates our society.

Even more shocking is that most cases go unreported. Shame, fear, lack of support, and systemic apathy keep countless women trapped in cycles of violence. But one woman is challenging this silence and demanding change: Prasanna Gettu.

The Face of a Movement

Prasanna Gettu, a renowned women’s rights advocate and social entrepreneur, has been working for decades to shine a light on the hidden violence within homes. Her work isn’t just about rescue—it’s about reforming the societal mindset that enables abuse.

She believes that to truly stop domestic violence, we need more than laws—we need a culture of respect, equality, and accountability.

Here are the five powerful ways she recommends to foster a violence-free society:

1. Education Rooted in Equality

Teaching gender sensitivity must begin at home and in schools. Boys and girls must grow up learning that respect is not optional, and that no one has the right to control or hurt another person—physically or emotionally.

Prasanna emphasizes curriculum reform, workshops, and regular open conversations with children to help them question harmful stereotypes early on.

2. Community Engagement & Men as Allies

Stopping violence against women isn’t a “women’s issue.” Prasanna’s programs actively engage men as allies, urging them to call out abuse, challenge misogyny, and take a stand in their communities.

She organizes awareness sessions in localities where abuse is normalized, showing how bystander intervention can save lives.

3. Support Systems That Work

Survivors need more than sympathy—they need safe shelters, accessible legal aid, and psychological counseling. Prasanna’s organization helps build integrated support networks, including partnerships with hospitals, police, and legal professionals.

By making it easier for women to speak up and get help, she is breaking the chain of silence.

4. Accountability Over Excuses

Too often, society excuses abusers with phrases like “he was drunk,” “she must have provoked him,” or “it’s their personal matter.” Prasanna fights this attitude by demanding accountability—not excuses.

Her advocacy pushes for faster trials, stricter enforcement of domestic violence laws, and public shaming of serial offenders.

5. Shifting Media Narratives

Representation matters. She urges filmmakers, influencers, and journalists to change how abuse is portrayed. Instead of romanticizing controlling partners or ignoring spousal violence, the media must highlight stories of survival, strength, and justice.

Through documentaries and campaigns, Prasanna uses storytelling as a tool to shift cultural narratives around abuse.

Towards a Safer Tomorrow

Prasanna Gettu is not just offering solutions—she’s building a movement of change. Her vision is of a society where no woman fears her home, where every act of violence is met with outrage, and where survivors are celebrated for their courage.

Her mission reminds us all: Violence thrives in silence. But respect, empathy, and action can break the cycle.