Breaking the Silence About Domestic Violence

1. Breaking the Silence About Domestic Violence Claire Breedlove, Rachel Evans, Jana Price, and Scott Skinner Peace Corps Georgia Created by: Amy Harris, PCV genderequalitypcgeorgia@gmail.com

2. 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 that you love and think loves you in return.”

3. Participatory Learning

4. 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;

5. Brainstorm Session In groups, write down the answers to these questions about 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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."

9. 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. 

10. Signs of Violence • Verbal Abuse • Pressure Tactics • Disrespect • Breaking Trust • Isolation • Harassment • Threats • Sexual Violence • Physical Violence • Denial

11. Impact of Domestic Violence Children: • Short and long term damage • Physical • Emotional • Learning problems Adults: • Serious health problems

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Societal Attitudes in Georgia • What are some societal attitudes in Georgia related to domestic violence and women?

16. 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.”

17. Georgian Campaigns Against Domestic Violence • “PSA: Georgian Rugby Players Say No to Violence Against Women” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3DRdqx_dBY

18. 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?

19. Self-Esteem and Emotional Health • How does self-esteem relate to domestic violence?

20. 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.

21. 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)

22. Contact Information genderequalitypcgeorgia@gmail.com