Urgent: Father (42M) Threw Stool at Mother (42F) and Attempted Strangulation – Repeated Physical Abuse Over Decades
I am posting this on behalf of a 20-year-old recent graduate who is preparing for competitive exams and belongs to a middle-class family in India.( u/GlitteringSurvive)
The situation is as follows: The father has a history of serial infidelity and physical violence against the mother throughout their marriage. The mother had one instance of emotional infidelity in response. The father confiscated her phone two years ago and has kept her without one, while he continues to have access to phones and may still be involved in extramarital affairs.
Today morning, during a dispute, the father threw a stool at the mother and nearly strangled her. One of the triggers he cited was that the child did not speak to him before he left on a trip. The father has also verbally abused the child in the past.
The mother has no independent source of income. Divorce is being resisted due to concerns about social reputation. The paternal family is suggesting a compromise, and the father has expressed regret for the physical violence. However, this pattern—anger, remorse, recurrence every 2–3 months—has continued for years, and the mother now refuses to accept any further compromise.
The child feels helpless and is unsure whether to pursue legal action. There is also a concern that if legal proceedings are initiated, the father may harm himself due to his perceived societal image.
The family is conflicted between moving out and attempting reconciliation. There are also unresolved personal issues between the parents.
Request:
What legal options are available in this situation? Can the mother file a complaint or seek protection without immediate divorce? What steps should be taken to ensure safety, and how can the child support the mother while also focusing on exam preparation?