Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Dr Barbara Bavdaž International Conference on Women’s Health October 8th/10th 2009 Nablus, Palestine

Violence Against Women (WHO) • Is a major public health problem and a violation of human rights • Violence by an intimate partner is one of the most common forms of violence against women • A wide range of physical, mental, sexual and reproductive, and maternal health problems can result from violence against women • Children carry an impressive burden of consequences • Many women do not seek help or report their experiences when violence occurs

Worldwide Diffusion • WHO 10-country study * • In France 1 woman dies every 4 days • In U.K. 2 women per week die • South Africa: 1 womqn every 6 hours killed by partner • Russia ’99:14.000 women murdered by partner or family member (population of 145 milions)

* WHO 10-Country Study on Women’e Health and Domestic Violence • In a 10-country study on women's health and domestic violence conducted by WHO, • Between 15% and 71% of women reported physical or sexual violence by a husband or partner. • Many women said that their first sexual experience was not consensual. (24% in rural Peru, 28% in Tanzania, 30% in rural Bangladesh, and 40% in South Africa). • Between 4% and 12% of women reported being physically abused during pregnancy.

* WHO 10-Country Study on Women’e Health and Domestic Violence • About 5,000 women are murdered by family members in the name of honour each year worldwide. • Trafficking of women and girls for forced labour and sex is widespread and often affects the most vulnerable. • Forced marriages and child marriages violate the human rights of women and girls, but they are widely practiced in many countries in Asia, the Middle East and sub-Saharan Africa. • Worldwide, up to one in five women and one in 10 men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. Children who experience sexual abuse are much more likely to encounter other forms of abuse later in life.

Data from Italy • ISTAT 2002 (published in 2004) • Life-time prevalence sexual harassment or abuse 50% for women 14-59 • Only 7.4% of victims of rape report to police • Murders y.2003: 35.3% ( 223) happened at home • 63.2% of victims was a woman

What is Domestic Violence • Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, child abuse or intimate partner violence, can be broadly defined a pattern of abusive behaviours by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, friends or cohabitation.

Domestic Violence • A deliberate choice made by the abuser in order to gain and maintain total control over the victim - is a power play designed to show the victim ‘who is the boss’ • Usually takes the form of violence against women by men, but children are also affected: traumatised witnesses or victims and stigmatised

The Victims • Except for gender difference, doesn’t discriminate; domestic violence occurs across all of society, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality, wealth or geography • ‘A lack of access to education and opportunity, and low social status in communities are linked to violence against women’ (WHO, Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence)

Types of Domestic Violence and Abuse • Psychological • Physical • Sexual • Economic or financial

Psychological Abuse • Verbal or nonverbal • Its aim is to chip away at feelings of self-worth and independance • Name-calling, blaming, shaming, pubblic humiliation; isolation(absenteeism, decreased productivity), losing job, intimidation, controlloing • Often throw threats of physical violence, suicide, taking away children • Indication of physical abuse to follow. Deepest scars!!!.

Sexual Abuse • Coercing or attempting to coerce any sexual contact or behaviour witout consent • Includes marital rape, attacks on sexual parts of the body, treating one in a sexually demeaning manner • Forcing sex after physical violence has occurred • High risk of being seriously injured or killed

Physical Abuse • Hitting, slapping, shoving, biting, scratching, hair-pulling, grabbing • Denying meddical care • Forcing alcohol and/or drug use • Throwing things and assault with a weapon

Economic and Financial Abuse • Making one financially dependent • Total control over financial resources, stealing money • Withholding one’s access to money • Forbidding one’s attendance at school or emplyment • Withholding basic necessities

Violent Behaviour is an Abuser’s Choice • Not due to abuser’s loss of control over his behaviour: • Does not batter other individuals • Able to stop when telephone rings, police show up • Escalates from pushing to hitting in places where bruises and marks will not show • Anger is a tool to get what the abuser wants

Myths about Domestic Violence • Is not common • Happens only in low-income families • Alcohol and drugs cause domestic violence • Abusers have low self-esteem • Most assaults are not really harmful • Happens only once or twice in relationship • Women like being hit • Children are not aware of violence at home, are not at risk; boys who witness violence will grow up to be abusers

Aspects and patterns of domestic violence • Warning signs of the abuser • In the mind of the abuser • The cycle of domestic violence • The separation cycle • Coping strategies and consequences • Domestic violence warning signs

Domestic Violence Warning Signs • Frequent injuries, with the excuse of ‘accidents’ • Frequent and sudden absences from work and school • Frequent, harassing phone calls from the partner • Fear of the partner, reference to partner’s anger • Personality changes • Excessive fear of conflict • Submissive behaviour, lack of assertiveness • Isolation from family and friends • Insufficient resources to live • Depression, crying, low self-esteem

Victims • The risk factor is being born female • Heterosexual males • Immigrant and rfugee women • Children witnessing and living in violent environment • People with physical, psychiatric and cognitive disabilities • Old battered women are nearly invisible • Rural battered women • Same sex partners • Teenagers

Breaking the Silence on Domestic Violence • It is a criminal offence • Domestic crimes are often difficult to prosecute • Silence is the abuser’s best friend • Information, awareness, prevention (break the isolation), legislation • Support groups, hotlines, services/centres, shelters, volunteers • Advocacy, support, information with financial, medical, social service, legal needs • Child support: is the number one predictor of child abuse

Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention • Breaking of isolation • Focus off abusers, focus on victims! • Awareness raising • Creating knowledge • Disseminating information, fighting stigma

Italy • Florence : Organisation Insieme • Integra : Community based network of services involved (FVG regional) • GOAP, A&E, DSM, Salute Donna

UN Secretary-General’s database on violence against women, lounched on March 5 2009 • Promising practices in law-provision of services-prevention-other promising practices • Philippines:Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act 1998 • Malaysia: One-Stop Centres 1993 • Denmark: Stop Violence against Women-Break the Silence • Nepal: National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Women and Children

‘All of us- men and women, soldiers and peecekeepers, citizens and leaders- have a responsibility to help end violence against women.’ Un Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Domestic Violence