Breaking the Silence About Domestic Violence
Claire Breedlove, Rachel Evans, Jana Price, and Scott SkinnerPeace Corps Georgia
Created by: Amy Harris, PCV
Dianne Feinstein…United States Senator, California
“Domestic violence causes far more pain than the visible marks of bruises and scars. It is devastating to be abused by someone thatyou love and think loves you in return.”
Participatory Learning
Participatory Conventional
Values personal experience Values facts and knowledge
Participants and facilitator share power
Teacher holds all the power
Everyone contributes to the learning process
Teacher gives students information
Focuses on building skills that affect one’s personal life
Focus on theoretical knowledge
Objectives Understand domestic violence:
The definition of domestic violence; The signs of abuse; Who it happens to; The impact it has on children and adults; Worldwide and Georgian statistics; and Resources available to victims of domestic
violence in Georgia.
Understand the importance of emotional health and self-esteem as a means to survive violence;
Brainstorm SessionIn groups, write down the answers to these questionsabout domestic violence.
What is it? To whom does it happen? Why does it happen? When does it happen? Tell me about domestic violence in Georgia.
Definition Domestic violence is physical, sexual,
psychological, or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behavior.
Victims
Domestic violence is most commonly experienced by women and perpetrated by men. Any woman can experience domestic violence regardless of race, ethnic or religious group, class, or disability.
Religious Reference Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the
Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. -Ephesians 5:22-24.
According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "Men who abuse often use Ephesians 5:22, taken out of context, to justify their behavior, but the passage (v. 21-33) refers to the mutual submission of husband and wife out of love for Christ. Husbands should love their wives as they love their own body, as Christ loves the Church."
Why does it happen? All forms of domestic violence –
psychological, economic, emotional, sexual, and physical – come from the abuser's desire for power and control over other family members or intimate partners.
Signs of Violence Verbal Abuse Pressure Tactics Disrespect Breaking Trust Isolation Harassment Threats Sexual Violence Physical Violence Denial
Impact of Domestic ViolenceChildren: Short and long term damage
Physical Emotional Learning problems
Adults: Serious health problems
Worldwide Statistics UNIFEM, World Health Organization
At least 1 out of 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime.
6 -10% of women in the world suffer domestic violence in a given year.
4 -12% of women who have been pregnant reported having been beaten during pregnancy.
1 in 4 women and girls over the age of 15 may experience sexual violence by an intimate partner.
Statistics in Georgia The Georgian government reported to the United
Nations that: “family violence is one of the most widespread problems in Georgia.” (July 2006)
There are no studies of domestic violence in Georgia, but it is the most widely underreported crime in the country.
The Georgian law on Combating Domestic Violence, Prevention of and Support to Its Victims (Law on Domestic Violence) was established on May 25, 2006.
Obstacles in Georgia Fear of retaliation by abuser Fear of being stigmatized in the
community Inadequate police response Inadequately trained medical personnel Lack of shelters and services Abusers often go unpunished Lack of long-term solutions
Societal Attitudes in Georgia
What are some societal attitudes in Georgia related to domestic violence and women?
Societal Attitudes in GeorgiaNGO Caucasus Women's Research and Consulting Network
Over 90% of 1,000 Georgian women who were interviewed considered that the “woman should be more modest and try not to provoke violence.”
The problem should stay “within the family.”
Belief that marital violence is justified in cases involving a woman’s adultery or if a mother “neglects her children.”
Georgian Campaigns Against Domestic Violence “PSA: Georgian Rugby Players Say No to
Violence Against Women” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3DRdqx_dBY
Breaking the Silence How did you feel during this activity? What did it feel like to hear, “I don’t
believe you?” What was it like to tell someone that
you don’t believe what they say? How does silence trap women?
Self-Esteem and Emotional Health How does self-esteem relate to
domestic violence?
Building Self-Esteem Work together in your group to discuss
ways that you can build your self-esteem, as well as how you can help others to build theirs.
Resources Domestic Violence HOTLINE 309 903
Provides crisis support, intervention, resources, and consultations.
Advice Centre for Women “Sakhli”, (Tbilisi)
Anti-Violence Network of Georgia, (Tbilisi, with local services)
The Georgian Young Lawyers Association
Saphari (Tbilisi)
Contact [email protected]
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