A client sat across the table and said:
“Without any valid reason, he started verbally abusing me and physically assaulted me.”
That one line stayed with me.
Not because of the assault — unfortunately, those facts are far too common.
But because of the phrase “without any valid reason.”
And it reveals something deeply troubling about how we, as a society, view violence inside relationships.
Can There Ever Be a “Valid Reason” to Abuse Your Partner?
Let’s be clear.
There is no valid reason for verbal abuse.
There is no valid reason for physical assault.
Anger is not a reason.
Suspicion is not a reason.
Financial stress is not a reason.
Ego is definitely not a reason.
At best, these are excuses. They may explain someone’s state of mind — they never justify violence.
Yet victims often narrate incidents this way:
- “He was stressed.”
- “He misunderstood something.”
- “He got angry.”
- “Maybe I said something wrong.”
- “Without any valid reason…”
That last phrase is the most revealing. It subconsciously assumes that perhaps some reason could have made it valid.
There cannot.
The Legal Position Is Clear
Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, domestic violence includes:
- Physical abuse
- Verbal and emotional abuse
- Economic abuse
Nowhere does the law carve out an exception that says:
“Unless the husband was very angry.”
Assault remains assault.
Criminal force remains criminal.
Cruelty remains cruelty.
Similarly, under Indian Penal Code, causing hurt or using criminal force does not become lawful because someone felt provoked in a domestic argument.
Marriage is not a defense to violence.
Why Victims Add “Without Any Valid Reason”
After years of practice, I have noticed three patterns:
- Internalized guilt – The victim feels she must prove she did nothing “wrong.”
- Fear of counter-allegations – She anticipates being blamed.
- Normalization of abuse – She has been conditioned to believe anger justifies violence.
This is not just a drafting issue.
It is a psychological one.
When a woman feels compelled to clarify that the assault happened “without reason,” it shows how deeply society has embedded the idea that violence may be understandable in certain circumstances.
It is not.
Drafting Matters
As lawyers, words matter.
Instead of:
“Without any valid reason, he started verbally abusing me and physically assaulted me.”
A stronger and legally sound version would be:
“He verbally abused and physically assaulted me.”
Or, if context requires:
“He verbally abused and physically assaulted me without any provocation.”
Notice the shift.
We remove the implication that violence could ever be justified.
Because it cannot.
The Larger Problem
The real issue is not vocabulary.
It is conditioning.
We do not ask:
“What valid reason did the victim have to be hurt?”
“What valid reason did she have to be afraid?”
But we routinely ask:
“What happened before he hit you?”
“What did you say?”
The question itself is flawed.
Violence is a choice.
Control is a choice.
Abuse is a choice.
Final Thought
If you ever hear someone say:
“He hit me, but…”
Pause there.
There is no “but.”
There is no qualifying clause.
There is no valid reason.
Abuse inside a relationship is not a private matter.
It is not a temper issue.
It is not a misunderstanding.
It is violence.
And violence needs to be called what it is — clearly, directly, and without apology.
Advocate Prakhar Gupta | Advocate in Kota | Lawyer in Kota | Lawfirm in Kota
Legal Disclaimer: nThe information provided in this article (and any related content) is for general educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the reader and the author or the firm.nFor specific legal queries or urgent advice regarding your rights and options, please consult with a qualified lawyer to ensure your interests are protected based on the most current laws and your specific situation.