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: General 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?Violence Against Women

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

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

The (United States) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition is:

“The term “intimate partner violence” describes physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy”.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

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”.12

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”.13

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”.14

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”.15

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”.16

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”.17

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.

Violence Against Women

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”.18

What do HotPeachPages note about their directory?

On their Home Page HotPeachPages note:

“This site will be fully updated by Aug 2021”.19

HotPeachPages include lists for:HotPeachesPages

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

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: 08 September 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: 08 September 2021
  3. Domestic Violence Statistics: General Statistics. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/ Accessed: 08 September 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: 08 September 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: 08 September 2021
  6. Domestic Violence: What Is Domestic Violence? Refuge https://www.refuge.org.uk/our-work/forms-of-violence-and-abuse/domestic-violence/ Accessed: 08 September 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: 08 September 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: 08 September 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: 08 September 2021
  10. Violence Prevention: Intimate Partner Violence. Page Last Reviewed: 09 October 2020. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html Accessed: 08 September 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: 08 September 2021
  12. Abuse In LGBTQ+ Communities. National Domestic Violence Hotline https://www.thehotline.org/resources/abuse-in-lgbtq-communities/ Accessed: 08 September 2021
  13. 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: 08 September 2021
  14. Abuse In Later Life. National Clearing House on Abuse In Later Life https://www.ncall.us/abuse-in-later-life/ Accessed: 08 September 2021
  15. 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: 08 September 2021
  16. 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: 08 September 2021
  17. 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: 08 September 2021
  18. HotPeachPages. HotPeachPages https://www.hotpeachpages.net/ Accessed: 08 September 2021
  19. HotPeachPages. HotPeachPages https://www.hotpeachpages.net/ Accessed: 08 September 2021
  20. HotPeachPages. HotPeachPages https://www.hotpeachpages.net/ Accessed: 08 September 2021
  21. Domestic Violence Resource Page. The Pixel Project. https://www.thepixelproject.net/resources/domestic-violence-incest-resource-page/ Accessed: 08 September 2021

Topic Last Updated: 08 September 2021 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 September 2021
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