WHAT IS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN?
- Violence against women is about power and control.
- Violence against women is a chosen action against a woman or girl child simply because of her gender, simply because she is female.
- Violence against women cuts across race, religion, income, class and culture.
- Violence Against Women is deeply embedded in all cultures, so much so that millions of women consider it a way of life.
FORMS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Psychological and emotional abuse
Threats, insults and put-downs can be just as damaging as physical abuse because they endanger a woman's feelings of 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.
What can I do to help a victim of domestic violence?
- As a friend, let her know she is not alone. Battered women feel they don't have anyone to talk to. Speak openly with her about your suspicions and encourage her to talk.
- Be a telephone buddy. Women are often isolated and are not allowed to go out.
- Read and collect brochures and information to pass on to her. Talk to others. The more you know about this problem the more you can offer to someone in need.
- Talk with her about options and help her plan for crisis.
- Show belief in her ability to cope with change.
- Support her no matter what she decides to do.
- Provide a place for her and the children to stay for an afternoon or evening during tense times.
- Provide transportation to shelter and safe homes
What can I do as a victim of domestic violence to help myself?
- Make an EMERGENCY PLAN
- Make a plan of what to and where to go if you are in danger. Tell your children of your plan if they are old enough to understand.
- Take your children with you if you can. If you must leave them temporarily, make sure they can join you as soon as possible. See a lawyer as soon as possible about custody.
- Whatever your vehicle, make sure it has petrol.
- Keep an extra set of keys and emergency numbers in a secret hiding place.
- Always keep some money hidden to help you get away.
- Take identification, important papers and necessary medication for you and your children.
- Keep a list of important phone numbers in the hiding place with your money.
- Work out a code word that can be used on the phone with someone you trust if you are in danger .
* No woman deserves violence, ever!
