Seven dimensions of powerlessness in an inegalitarian marital relationship Domestic violence is basically centered on three key elements: violence, domesticity, and structural inequality, where domesticity contextualizes both spatial location and the relationship between the abused and the victim, and structural inequalities work through the paradigm of power and control. However, in a patriarchal society, what I construe is that domestic violence is distinguished from all other forms of violence against women because of the ‘ seven dimensions of powerlessness in the relationship’ . This is in consonance with the Saptapadi or saat phere, or seven steps around the sacred fire, with saat vachan ,, or seven promises, taken in every step when a marriage is performed as per Hindu rites and ceremonies, yet it underscores the serious abuse women face in marriage. Briefly, these seven dimensions of powerlessness in marital relations are: First, domestic violence takes place within the co