VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN In this section: WHAT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN? Violence against women is about power and control.
Violence against a woman is a crime, and a violation of her human rights. Men must be held responsible for their violence Of course not all men are abusive, but overwhelmingly, men are the abusers and women are the victims. Men make the choice how they let out their aggressions and upon who:
No woman deserves violence, ever! FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN Violence against Women is not restricted to physical abuse. Psychological and emotional abuse Threats, insults and put-downs can be just as damaging as physical abuse because they endanger a woman's feelingsof self-worth and her ability to control her own life. Social abuse This form of abuse occurs most frequently in a domestic situation where a woman is kept totally dependent on her partner and isolated from the support of others. Financial abuse A woman who is prevented from seeking employment, or who is not allowed to have a bank account or keep any of her income suffers financial abuse. Having no control of money keeps a woman totally dependent and at the whim of others, even for her basic needs. Sexual abuse Being forced to do or watch something sexual without the woman's consent, or to have pain inflicted on a woman during a sexual act can constitute sexual abuse. Physical abuse Hitting, punching, slapping, biting, kicking, bruising, breaking bones, throwing things and using weapons are obvious examples of physical abuse. The denial of human needs, such as food, water, sleep and even shelter are also forms of physical abuse. Domestic Violence The Cycle of Violence Theory "Have you ever been so frightened that you couldn't move? That's what it's like to be trapped in an abusive relationship." Numbed by your fears of escalating violence and economic survival, and unable to fix the problem, how do you leave? Sexual Harassment Rape and Sexual Assault Next: What can I do? |
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