Violence Against Women

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Umbrella
What may the Violence Against Women Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Abuse
  • Abused Women
  • Battered Women
  • Digital Abuse
  • Domestic Abuse/Violence
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Financial Abuse
  • Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
  • Partner Abuse/Violence
  • Physical Abuse/Violence
  • Reproductive Coercion
  • Safety and Relationships
  • Sexual Abuse/Violence
  • Spousal Abuse/Violence
  • Violence Against Women

Definition

What is violence against women?

DotS the definition of violence against women may vary. The United Nations General Assembly’s definition is:

“In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women (A/RES/48/104). The Declaration defines violence against women as ‘any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life’”.1

Common or Not

How common is violence against women?

In Violence Against Women: Key Facts dated 09 March 2021, the World Health Organization include:

  • “Estimates published by WHO indicate that globally about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime
  • Most of this violence is intimate partner violence. Worldwide, almost one third (27%) of women aged 15-49 years who have been in a relationship report that they have been subjected to some form of physical and/or sexual violence by their intimate partner”.2

In the United States according to a statistic quoted by the (United States) National Domestic Violence Hotline in Domestic Violence Statistics:

“On average, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the US will experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner”.3

In the United Kingdom according to 2019 statistics quoted by Refuge in Domestic Violence: The Facts – The Extent of Domestic Violence:

“Almost one in three women aged 16-59 will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime.

Two women a week are killed by a current or former partner in England and Wales alone.

In the year ending March 2019, 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse”.4

Domestic Violence

What is domestic violence?

DotS the definition of domestic violence may vary. In Understand Relationship Abuse: We’re All Affected By the Issue of Domestic Violence – Abuse Defined the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s definition is:

“Domestic violence (also referred to as intimate partner violence (IPV), dating abuse, or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship”.5

In Domestic Violence: What Is Domestic Violence? the Refuge’s definition is:

“Domestic violence is the systematic pattern of behaviour on the part of the abuser designed to control his partner.

The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Anyone forced to alter their behaviour because they are frightened of their partner’s reaction is being abused. It can begin at any stage of the relationship. Domestic violence is rarely a one-off. Incidents generally become more frequent and severe over time”.6

Pattern

Can domestic violence have a pattern?

Yes. In Domestic Violence Against Women: Recognize Patterns, Seek Help – Recognize Domestic Violence the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on how to recognize domestic violence patterns.

Who

Who can domestic violence happen to?

The National Domestic Violence Hotline explain:

Violence Against Women

“Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. People of any race, age, gender, sexuality, religion, education level, or economic status can be a victim — or perpetrator — of domestic violence. That includes behaviors that physically harm, intimidate, manipulate or control a partner, or otherwise force them to behave in ways they don’t want to, including through physical violence, threats, emotional abuse, or financial control”.7

Facts

What are facts about violence against women everyone should know?

In International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 25 November: Why We Must Eliminate Violence Against Women the United Nations elaborate on:

Violence Against Women

“Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it.

In general terms, it manifests itself in physical, sexual and psychological forms, encompassing:

  • Intimate partner violence (battering, psychological abuse, marital rape, femicide)
  • Sexual violence and harassment (rape, forced sexual acts, unwanted sexual advances, child sexual abuse, forced marriage, street street harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment)
  • Harassment, stalking, cyber- harassment
  • Human trafficking (slavery, sexual exploitation)
  • Female genital mutilation; and
  • Child marriage”.8

Intimate Partner Violence

What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?

DotS the definition of IPV may vary. In Relationships and Safety: Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence the Womenshealth.gov’s definition is:

“Domestic violence is sometimes called intimate partner violence. It includes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, as well as sexual coercion and stalking by a current or former intimate partner. An intimate partner is a person with whom you have or had a close personal or sexual relationship. Intimate partner violence affects millions of women each year in the United States”.9

In Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: What Is Intimate Partner Violence? the (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition is:

“Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. “Intimate partner” refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners. IPV can vary in how often it happens and how severe it is. It can range from one episode of violence that could have lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over multiple years…”.10

Midlife and Intimate Partner Violence

Is there an association between midlife and older women, and intimate partner violence (IPV)?

In Associations of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Menopause Symptoms Among Midlife and Older Women: Key Points the authors note:

“Findings In this cross-sectional analysis of a cohort of midlife and older women, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder were common. Emotional intimate partner violence and posttraumatic stress were associated with sleep-related, vasomotor, and vaginal symptoms; physical intimate partner violence was associated with night sweats; and sexual assault was associated with vaginal symptoms”.11

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and domestic abuse?

In Stuck In the Middle With You the (United Kingdom) AVA Against Violence & Abuse elaborate on:

“Drawing on a literature review, peer-led research and a consultation with GPs, emerging findings indicate a two-way relationship between menopause and domestic abuse. Key insights include:

  • Menopause impacts women’s relationships, especially with their intimate partner/s and family members
  • Domestic abuse impacts menopause symptoms; with negative symptoms or experiences compounding or obscuring one another
  • Women view menopause as a pivotal moment for making life changes, suggesting that menopause may be a key time when women are looking for support to escape domestic abuse…”.12

LGBTQ Violence

What is LGBTQ?

DotS LGBTQ can be an abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning.

Is abuse in LGBTQ relationships, similar to their heterosexual peers?

In Abuse in LGBTQ+ Communities the National Domestic Violence Hotline elaborate on:

“While abuse among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning “plus” (LGBTQ+) people occurs at the same rates and in similar ways as their heterosexual peers, LGBTQ+ people may face forms of abuse or barriers to accessing support specifically based on prejudices against their gender expression or sexuality”.13

The Mayo Clinic also note:

“If you’re lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you might also be experiencing domestic violence if you’re in a relationship with someone who:

  • Tells you that authorities won’t help a lesbian, bisexual or transgender person
  • Tells you that leaving the relationship means you’re admitting that lesbian, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant
  • Says women can’t be violent
  • Justifies abuse by telling you that you’re not “really” lesbian, bisexual or transgender”.14

Elder Abuse

What is elder abuse?

Dots the definition of elder abuse may vary. In Abuse In Later Life the (United States) National Clearinghouse on Abuse In Later Life’s (NCALL) definition includes:

“Abuse in later life and elder abuse are terms used to describe harm to older adults. Abuse in later life and elder abuse can happen to any older adult and can occur in any setting and across all communities and backgrounds”.15

Help

What if I need help?

In Healthy Body: Domestic Violence and Abuse – Getting Help and Support for Domestic Violence the (United Kingdom) NHS elaborate on:

“You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it’s important to tell someone and remember you’re not alone”.16

Local Help

What if I would like local help?

If you would like local help your health care provider, local community health center, national and/or state Domestic Violence Helpline may be able to provide you with information/referral/support to resources/services close to you such as:

  • Community Advocacy e.g. Childcare, Employment Resources, Permanent Housing
  • Counseling
  • Customized and Multicultural Services
  • Emergency Shelter/Women’s Refuge
  • Legal Advocacy
  • Support Groups
  • Transitional Housing

Emergency

What if I need help in an emergency or if I am in immediate danger?

If you need help in an emergency or if you are in immediate danger, call the Police.

Hotline/Helpline

Do some countries have a 24/7 National Domestic Violence hotline/helpline to call?

Yes. Your country may have a hotline/helpline similar to the United States’ 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline, Australia’s 24/7 National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT or in the United Kingdom, Refuge’s The Freephone, 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline.

It is important to note different countries can have different National Domestic Violence hotline/helpline numbers to call. It may therefore be in your best interest to choose to check what the number is for you in your country.

In What To Expect When You Contact Us: Your Safety Always Comes First the National Domestic Violence Hotline elaborate on “every contact to The Hotline is personal”.17

Phone Bill

Even though hotline/helpline calls may be free, can they appear on phone bills?

Depending on the Country, they may. If you think your phone bill may be checked, call from a friend’s phone, a work phone or what you consider a safe phone.

Website Escape Button

Can some violence against women website pages include an escape or exit button as a way to immediately leave the site?

Yes. In the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov’s section Relationships and Safety: Escape, topics may include an escape button on the left side of the page which instructs:

“Click the escape button above to immediately leave this site if your abuser may see you reading it”.18

National Helplines

Where may I find my Country’s Helpline?

In Need Help? Helplines the [United Nations] UN Women include contact information for national helplines.

NO MORE Global Directory

Violence Against WomenWhat is the NO More Global Directory?

In About the Directory the NO MORE Foundation explain:

“The NO MORE Global Directory is a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive international directory of domestic violence and sexual assault resources in every UN-recognized country and territory in the world. The site was created by the NO MORE Foundation in partnership with the United Nations and the World Bank, and it is intended to serve as a global hub of information and resources for victims and their loved ones. This directory is the latest step in our efforts to create a world with NO MORE domestic and sexual violence”.19

HotPeachPages

What is HotPeachPages?

HotPeachPages is an:

“International directory of abuse hotlines, shelters, refuges, crisis centres and women’s organizations, plus domestic violence information in over 115 languages”.20

The Pixel Project

What does The Pixel Project include?The Pixel Project

In The Pixel Project’s Domestic Violence Resource Page the The Pixel Project elaborate on:

“Welcome to our domestic violence resource page. We have provided links to international and country-linked organisations worldwide for anyone searching for helplines, hotlines, or anti-violence against women experts, activists, and advocates in their country, region, or on an international level. Just click on the name of the organisation or resource to access their website”.21

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics related to Violence Against Women?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Violence Against Women Links

Where may I find Links related to Violence Against Women?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

  1. 16dayscampaign.org [Global 16 Days Campaign]Violence Against Women
  2. 1800RESPECT.org [National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service, Australia]
  3. 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Freephone Helpline [Refuge for Women and Children Against Domestic Violence, United Kingdom]
  4. Abuse In LGBTQ+ Communities
  5. Abuse In Later Life
  6. Am I In An Abusive Relationship?
  7. Are You Experiencing Domestic Abuse? You Are Not Alone
  8. Associations of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Menopause Symptoms Among Midlife and Older Women
  9. Avaproject.org.uk [AVA, Against Violence & Abuse, United Kingdom]
  10. COVID-19 and Violence Against Women: What The Data Tells Us Measuring The Shadow Pandemic
  11. Create A Safety Plan
  12. Date Rape Drugs
  13. Devastatingly Pervasive: 1 In 3 Women Globally Experience Violence
  14. Domestic Violence
  15. Domestic Violence Against Women: Recognize Patterns, Seek Help
  16. Elder Abuse
  17. Ending Violence Against Women
  18. Female Genital Mutilation
  19. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) + Videos]
  20. Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting
  21. Forward [Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development, United Kingdom]
  22. Frequently Asked Questions: Types of Violence Against Women and Girls
  23. Violence Against WomenFutureswithoutviolence.org
  24. Global 16 Days Campaign [November 25 – 10 December 10, 2021]
  25. Global Database on the Prevalence of Violence Against Women
  26. Healthy Body: Domestic Violence and Abuse [+ Video: Domestic Violence]
  27. Hotpeachpages.net [HotPeachesPages]
  28. In Focus: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
  29. In Focus: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence [+ Video: How Do We Prevent Violence Against Women?
  30. InTouch.org.au: Multicultural Center Against Family Violence
  31. International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence In Conflict, 19 June
  32. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 2021 [+ Video]
  33. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
  34. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 25 November
  35. International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, 6 February
  36. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  37. International Women’s Day (IWD)
  38. Intimate Partner Violence
  39. I’m Worried About Someone Else
  40. National Center for Domestic Violence [United Kingdom]
  41. National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence [United States]
  42. National Domestic Violence Hotline [The Hotline.org]
  43. National Domestic Violence Hotline [The Hotline.org]: Help for Abusive Partners [United States]
  44. National Stalking Awareness Month Violence Agianst Women
  45. Ncall.us [The National Clearing House on Abuse In Later Life (NCALL), United States]
  46. Ncavd.org [National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), United States]
  47. No More Global Directory
  48. Nomore.org [No More, United States]
  49. Nomore.org [No More, United States]: Need Immediate Help?
  50. Nrcdv.org [National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, United States]
  51. Violence Against WomenNsvrc.org [National Sexual Violence Resource Center, United States]
  52. Nsvrc.org [National Sexual Violence Resource Center, United States]: Directory of Organizations
  53. Online and Digital Abuse
  54. Patty Brisben Foundation for Women’s Sexual Health
  55. Preventing Intimate Partner Violence
  56. RAINN.org [Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, United States]
  57. Rapecrisis.og [Rape Crisis England & Wales]
  58. Recognising Abuse
  59. Violence Stygian Women width=Refuge + 24 Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline [United Kingdom]
  60. Relationships and Safety
  61. Relationships and Safety: Am I Being Abused?
  62. Relationships and Safety: Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence
  63. Relationships and Safety: Other Types of Violence and Abuse Against Women
  64. Relationships and Safety: Sexual Assault and Rape
  65. Responding To Sexual Assault – A Practical Guide
  66. Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2021 [United States]
  67. Signal for Help [+ Video: Violence At Home #SignalForHelp
  68. Spotlightinitiative.org [Spotlight Initiative]
  69. Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.
  70. Stuck In the Middle With You
  71. #TakeAStand Against Domestic Violence
  72. Take Action: 10 Ways You Can Help End Violence Against Women, Even During A Pandemic
  73. The Experience of Intimate Partner Violence Among Older Women: A Narrative Review
  74. The International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  75. The Myths [Domestic Violence]
  76. The Pixel Project
  77. The Pixel Project: Domestic Violence Resource Page
  78. The Pixel Project: Female Genital Mutilation Resource Page
  79. The Pixel Project: Rape & Sexual Assault Resource Page
  80. The Pixel Project: Resources for Men To Stop Violence Against Women
  81. The Survivor’s Handbook
  82. The Survivor’s Handbook: Information In Other Languages
  83. The Toll of Control
  84. UN Women: Virtual Knowledge Centre To End Violence Against Women and Children [English, Español, Françis]
  85. Uksaysnomore.org [United Kingdom]: Safe Spaces
  86. Understand Relationship Abuse
  87. Unwomen.org: UN Women
  88. Victimsofcrime.org [National Center for Victims of Crime, United States]: Victim Connect Resource Center
  89. Violence Against Women
  90. Violence Prevention
  91. Violence Prevention: Elder Abuse
  92. Violence Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence [+ Video: What Is Intimate Partner Violence?]
  93. Violence Prevention: Sexual Violence [+ Video: What Is Sexual Violence?]
  94. Watch for Warning Signs of Relationship Violence
  95. What Is A Safety Plan?
  96. What Is Domestic Abuse?
  97. What Is Domestic Violence?
  98. When Your Partner Threatens Suicide
  99. Whiteribbon.org.au [White Ribbon Australia | Prevent Men’s Violence Against Women]
  100. Womensaid.org.uk [Women’s AID, United Kingdom]

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Violence Against Women (A/RES/48/104). United Nations https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/vaw/v-overview.htm Accessed: 14 November 2021
  2. Violence Against Women: Introduction. 09 March 2021. World Health Organization https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women Accessed: 14 November 2021
  3. Domestic Violence Statistics. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  4. Domestic Violence: The Facts – The Extent of Domestic Violence. Refuge https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/forms-of-violence-and-abuse/domestic-violence/domestic-violence-the-facts/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  5. Understand Relationship Abuse: We’re All Affected By the Issue of Domestic Violence – Abuse Defined. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  6. Domestic Violence: What Is Domestic Violence? Refuge https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/forms-of-violence-and-abuse/domestic-violence/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  7. Understand Relationship Abuse: We’re All Affected By the Issue of Domestic Violence – Abuse Defined. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/is-this-abuse/abuse-defined/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  8. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women 25 November: Why We Must Eliminate Violence Against Women. United Nations https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day Accessed: 14 November 2021
  9. Relationships and Safety: Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence. Page Last Updated: 07 June 2018. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/domestic-violence Accessed: 14 November 2021
  10. Preventing Intimate Partner Violence: What Is Intimate Partner Violence? Page Last Reviewed: 09 October 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/fastfact.html Accessed: 14 November 2021
  11. Gibson, C.J., Huang, A. J., McCaw, B et al. Associations of Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Menopause Symptoms Among Midlife and Older Women: Key Points. January 2019 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2715160 Accessed: 14 November 2021
  12. Stuck In the Middle With You. AVA Against Violence and Abuse https://avaproject.org.uk/stuck-in-the-middle-with-you/ Accessed: 12 December 2021
  13. Abuse In LGBTQ+ Communities. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/resources/abuse-in-lgbtq-communities/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  14. Domestic Violence Against Women: Recognize Patterns, Seek Help. 25 February 2020. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/adult-health/in-depth/domestic-violence/art-20048397 Accessed: 14 November 2021
  15. Abuse In Later Life. National Clearing House on Abuse In Later Life https://www.ncall.us/abuse-in-later-life/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  16. Healthy Body: Domestic Violence and Abuse – Getting Help and Support for Domestic Violence. Page Last Reviewed: 30 December 2019. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/getting-help-for-domestic-violence/#getting-help-and-support-for-domestic-violence Accessed: 14 November 2021
  17. What To Expect When You Contact Us: Your Safety Always Comes First. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/what-to-expect-when-you-contact-us/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  18. Relationships and Safety: Escape. Page Last Updated: 17 May 2019. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety Accessed: 14 November 2021
  19. No More Directory. No More https://nomoredirectory.org/ Accessed: 12 December 2021
  20. HotPeachPages. HotPeachPages https://www.hotpeachpages.net/ Accessed: 14 November 2021
  21. Domestic Violence Resource Page. The Pixel Project. https://www.thepixelproject.net/resources/domestic-violence-incest-resource-page/ Accessed: 14 November 2021

Topic Last Updated: 12 December 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 14 November 2021
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