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Domestic violence is so shameful that it does not seem to exist in the Indian community in the United Kingdom '. It is not spoken, it is not disclosed and it is certainly not addressed. Many Indian women are reluctant and too afraid to ask for help. Reports from London SHAMLAL PURI studying the situation of those who suffer in silence.

By PURI SHAMLAL London

GINA Satava Kaur, a young British Indian Bunny, Nottingham, central England, has been subject to such a terrifying four-month campaign of intimidation and humiliation in the hands of her mother-in-law Dalbir Kaur Bhakar in the suburbs of London that it she broke with emotion.

Nottingham County Court in the East Midlands has learned how the life of Gina collapsed in 2002 after his arranged marriage 29 years Bhakar Hardeep Singh. Gina is a smart professional business woman, but her life changed when the marriage after her family moved in with her husband in Ilford, Essex, on the eastern fringes of London.

Dalbir Kaur campaign of torment against her daughter-in-law made the bride of an emotional wreck. Gina was forced to work in the junior room for hours was held virtual prisoner in the house and forced to perform chores at dawn. It was considered a "dog" and forced into a routine cleaning toilets without a brush in an attempt to exhaust and humiliate.

Gina told the court she was not allowed to visit the local Gurudwara (temple) and was allowed only four short visits to his parents shortly after her marriage. His phone use has been limited and the calls were monitored. The stepmother Gina also forced to cut their hair at shoulder length, knowing his Sikh faith forbids him. Ironically, the husband of Gina Hardeep did nothing to stop his mother of the bride humiliating.

Gina refused to join a local doctor and had an infection of the hand, the result of excessive cleaning, has not addressed.

Ms. BHAK 52 years, was fined UK Pounds 35,000 after the court refused to accept his claim innocence. The marriage collapsed and Hardeep and Gina were divorced. Gina returned to her parents' house in Nottingham.

Gina lawyer John Rosley told reporters "This case has highlighted a problem that is common but not often discussed." He said Gina was brave to have sought help from the law. "Many people could bring such a case, but did not. "

He hopes that the publicity generated by this successful action would bring other women who have suffered the same to occur.

This, sadly, only the tip of the iceberg.

Domestic violence experts say that is the crux of the problem. Apna Ghar, a domestic violence agency based in East London, found that in many cases, mothers-are the origin of the right to abuse.

Many of these older women were themselves victims of violence. So what makes them so anxious to see the cycle of violence perpetrated on others?

For many of these women, it is the only power they have. In the Indian community, many women believe that their son is everything. The son must never appear to have such a close relationship with his wife threatens the mother's position of power.

Therefore, some women are abusive to their daughters in law, determined to prove their power to force in the life of their son.

But men also have the responsibility to protect women against abuse. They fail in their marriage vows if they become mere observers while the wife is subjected to ridicule, scorn and abuse.

It takes a lot for such a change in mindset. community pressure is such that even the mothers whose daughters are victims are reluctant to step in.

A large number of Indians.