Definition The intentional use of physical force/ power,
threatened or actual, against oneself, another person,
or against a group/ community, that either results in or
has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death,
psychological harm, mal development or deprivation.
Physical Physical violence occurs when someone uses a part of their body or an object to control a person’s actions.
It is a physical force which results in pain, discomfort or injury
Examples of such:
Hitting, pinching, hair-pulling, arm-twisting, strangling, burning, stabbing, punching, pushing, slapping, beating, shoving, kicking, choking, biting, force-feeding, or any other rough treatment
Health effects of violenceChronic pain
G.I disorders
Psychosomatic symptoms
Eating problems
Anxiety
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Depression
Abd/ thoracic injuries
Fractures/ bruises
Lacerations/ abrasions
Reduced physical functioning
Sexual Sexual violence occurs when a person is forced to unwillingly take part in sexual activity.
E.gs. Touching in a sexual manner without consent (i.e., kissing, grabbing, fondling)
Forced sexual intercourse
Forcing a person to perform sexual acts that may be degrading or painful
Beating sexual parts of the body
Forcing a person to view pornographic material
forcing participation in pornographic
Forced prostitution
Risk associated with this Act Higher rates of HIV
Other STD`s
Damage to reproductive organs
Pelvic inflammatory disease (P.I.D)
Sexual dysfunction
Infertility
Complications in pregnancy
Gynecological disorders
Frequent miscarriages/ premature babies as a result of severe abuse
Emotional violenceEmotional violence occurs when someone says or does something to make a person feel stupid or worthless.
Examples:
Name calling
Blaming all relationship problems on the person;
Using silent treatment
Not allowing the person to have contact with family and friends
Destroying possessions
Jealousy
Threatening to abandon the person
Psychological Occurs when someone uses threats and causes fear in a
person to gain control. These same words can also
destroy or harm a individuals belief in oneself.
Undermining mental or emotional well-being
E.g:
Threatening to harm the person or her or his family if she or he leaves
Stalking / criminal harassment
Verbal aggression
Socially isolating the person
Inappropriately controlling the person’s activities
Treating a person like a child or a servant
Withholding companionship or affection
Effect on one`s health Poor self perception
Depression
Anxiety
Suicidal thoughts/ behaviours
Drug/substance abuse
Feelings of shame and guilt
Eating/ sleeping disorders
Physical inactivity
Engaging in promiscuous
behaviours
Cultural Cultural violence occurs when a person is harmed as a result of practices that are part of his or her culture, religion or tradition.
It includes but is not limited to;
Committing “honour” or other crimes against women in
some parts of the world, where women especially may be
physically harmed, shunned, maimed or killed for:
Falling in love with the “wrong” person
Seeking divorce
Infidelity
committing adultery
Being raped
Practicing witchcraft
Cont`d Being older.
Cultural violence may take place in some of the following ways:
Lynching or stoning
Banishment
Abandonment of an older person at hospital by family
Female circumcision
Rape-marriage
Sexual slavery
Financial Financial abuse occurs when someone controls a person’s
financial resources without the person’s consent or misuses those resources.
Examples;
Not allowing the person to participate in educational programs
Forcing the person to work outside the home
Refusing to let the person work outside the home or attend school
Controlling the person’s choice of occupation
Illegally or improperly using a person’s money, assets or property
Not paying bills/ opening mails without permission
Financial Impact
Loss of income
Negative effects on school performance, in terms of
the abused child
Violation of human rights
Heavy burden on the health care system
Economic costs on the victims like
home displacement, legal costs, medical costs
Gender Based Violence Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is defined as violence or
brutality that is directed at an individual based on her or his specific gender role in a society. It can affect females or males; however, women and girls are more subjected to gender-based violence.
Gender-Based Violence can be both physical and psychological and include acts done in private and public areas. The act of violence can occur within the home, community, perpetrated or condoned by the State.
Global Statistics on Gender Based Violence (GBV)
Based on research India women are abused and killed by the hands of their attackers. Statistics have shown ten thousand (10,000) cases of female infanticide (killing female babies) were reported annually. In addition, China has implemented a one-child policy; of which twelve (12) percent of the female embryos were aborted. In West Africa forced prostitution is predominant and there is an upsurge of child prostitution in South Africa.
Studies also indicate violence in India is widespread where more than five thousand (5,000) women are killed annually by their husband and in-laws who burn them in "accidental" kitchen fires if their on-going demands for dowry (wedding gift) before and after marriage were not met. Acid attacks are perpetrated in Bangladesh where over two hundred (200) attacks occur annually. Honour killings in countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordon, Pakistan and Turkey are not unusual. Rape is used as a weapon in the Democratic Republic of Congo where some forty (40) women are raped daily.
The data below illustrates reports done by the Rape Crisis Society over a six (6) year period from 2000 to 2005.
Risks associated with GBV
Higher rates of HIV/ other STD`s
Broken bones
Damage to reproductive organs
The social & psychological effects are just as
traumatizing,, leaving many victims feeling
isolated & vulnerable
Measures to be taken regarding the prevention of domestic violence
To develop a partnership between the authorities responsible for the protection of women`s rights & regional and local authorities in order to increase the# of rehabilitation centers & shelters for women victims of domestic violence
To launch through media, national awareness campaigns against domestic violence
To start education on gender equality and non violent behaviour at a very early stage and to ensure adequate training for teachers on the issue of domestic violence and gender equality.
Violence against men Women aren't the only victims of domestic violence.
Understand the signs of domestic violence against men, and know how to get help.
Domestic violence — also known as domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence against men can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.
It might not be easy to recognize domestic violence against men. Early in the relationship, your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening. Initially, the abuse might appear as isolated incidents. Your partner might apologize and promise not to abuse you again.
In other relationships, domestic violence against men might include both partners slapping or shoving each other when they get angry — and neither partner seeing himself or herself as being abused or controlled. This type of violence, however, can still devastate a relationship, causing both physical and emotional damage.
You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner: Calls you names, insults you or puts you down
Prevents you from going to work or school
Stops you from seeing family members or friends
Tries to control how you spend money, where you go or what you wear
Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful
Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs
Threatens you with violence or a weapon
Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets
If you're gay, bisexual or transgender, you might also be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity
Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual or transgender person
Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant
Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" gay, bisexual or transgender
Children and abuse
Domestic violence affects children, even if they're just
witnesses. If you have children, remember that exposure to
domestic violence puts them at risk of developmental problems,
psychiatric disorders, problems at school, aggressive behavior
and low self-esteem.
You might worry that seeking help could further endanger you
and your children, or that it might break up your family. Fathers
might fear that abusive partners will try to take their children
away from them. However, getting help is the best way to
protect your children — and yourself.
Interventions Psychosocial support
Professional counseling of survivors of GBV and theirfamilies (Individuals and support groups)
Distribution of aid materials such as clothes, food,sanitary towels, etc
Training and capacity building of health workers inother
health facilities, police,prosecutors, magistrates,community based organizationsamong others on impact of GBVin the society & how to handleGBV survivors
Cont`d Referrals for accommodation (Shelter homes)
and legal aid services
Community awareness programmes (Community
trainings and media coverage) to enhance
awareness of the nature, manifestation,
dynamics and impact of GBV & HIV/AIDS with
the aim of influencing public opinion and
perceptions on GBV and enroll public to fight
GBV and HIV/AIDS (reduce levels of GBV).
Including Legal awareness