Definition The intentional use of physical force/ power,

threatened or actual, against oneself, another person,

or against a group/ community, that either results in or

has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death,

psychological harm, mal development or deprivation.

Types of ViolencePhysical

Sexual

Emotional

Psychological

Cultural

Verbal

Financial Abuse

Physical Physical violence occurs when someone uses a part of their body or an object to control a person’s actions.

It is a physical force which results in pain, discomfort or injury

Examples of such:

Hitting, pinching, hair-pulling, arm-twisting, strangling, burning, stabbing, punching, pushing, slapping, beating, shoving, kicking, choking, biting, force-feeding, or any other rough treatment

Health effects of violenceChronic pain

G.I disorders

Psychosomatic symptoms

Eating problems

Anxiety

Post-traumatic stress disorder

Depression

Abd/ thoracic injuries

Fractures/ bruises

Lacerations/ abrasions

Reduced physical functioning

Sexual Sexual violence occurs when a person is forced to unwillingly take part in sexual activity.

E.gs. Touching in a sexual manner without consent (i.e., kissing, grabbing, fondling)

Forced sexual intercourse

Forcing a person to perform sexual acts that may be degrading or painful

Beating sexual parts of the body

Forcing a person to view pornographic material

forcing participation in pornographic

Forced prostitution

Risk associated with this Act Higher rates of HIV

Other STD`s

Damage to reproductive organs

Pelvic inflammatory disease (P.I.D)

Sexual dysfunction

Infertility

Complications in pregnancy

Gynecological disorders

Frequent miscarriages/ premature babies as a result of severe abuse

Emotional violenceEmotional violence occurs when someone says or does something to make a person feel stupid or worthless.

Examples:

Name calling

Blaming all relationship problems on the person;

Using silent treatment

Not allowing the person to have contact with family and friends

Destroying possessions

Jealousy

Threatening to abandon the person

Psychological Occurs when someone uses threats and causes fear in a

person to gain control. These same words can also

destroy or harm a individuals belief in oneself.

Undermining mental or emotional well-being

E.g:

Threatening to harm the person or her or his family if she or he leaves

Stalking / criminal harassment

Verbal aggression

Socially isolating the person

Inappropriately controlling the person’s activities

Treating a person like a child or a servant

Withholding companionship or affection

Effect on one`s health Poor self perception

Depression

Anxiety

Suicidal thoughts/ behaviours

Drug/substance abuse

Feelings of shame and guilt

Eating/ sleeping disorders

Physical inactivity

Engaging in promiscuous

behaviours

Cultural Cultural violence occurs when a person is harmed as a result of practices that are part of his or her culture, religion or tradition.

It includes but is not limited to;

Committing “honour” or other crimes against women in

some parts of the world, where women especially may be

physically harmed, shunned, maimed or killed for:

Falling in love with the “wrong” person

Seeking divorce

Infidelity

committing adultery

Being raped

Practicing witchcraft

Cont`d Being older.

Cultural violence may take place in some of the following ways:

Lynching or stoning

Banishment

Abandonment of an older person at hospital by family

Female circumcision

Rape-marriage

Sexual slavery

Financial Financial abuse occurs when someone controls a person’s

financial resources without the person’s consent or misuses those resources.

Examples;

Not allowing the person to participate in educational programs

Forcing the person to work outside the home

Refusing to let the person work outside the home or attend school

Controlling the person’s choice of occupation

Illegally or improperly using a person’s money, assets or property

Not paying bills/ opening mails without permission

Financial Impact

Loss of income

Negative effects on school performance, in terms of

the abused child

Violation of human rights

Heavy burden on the health care system

Economic costs on the victims like

home displacement, legal costs, medical costs

Gender Based Violence Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is defined as violence or

brutality that is directed at an individual based on her or his specific gender role in a society. It can affect females or males; however, women and girls are more subjected to gender-based violence.

Gender-Based Violence can be both physical and psychological and include acts done in private and public areas. The act of violence can occur within the home, community, perpetrated or condoned by the State.

Global Statistics on Gender Based Violence (GBV)

Based on research India women are abused and killed by the hands of their attackers. Statistics have shown ten thousand (10,000) cases of female infanticide (killing female babies) were reported annually. In addition, China has implemented a one-child policy; of which twelve (12) percent of the female embryos were aborted. In West Africa forced prostitution is predominant and there is an upsurge of child prostitution in South Africa.

Studies also indicate violence in India is widespread where more than five thousand (5,000) women are killed annually by their husband and in-laws who burn them in "accidental" kitchen fires if their on-going demands for dowry (wedding gift) before and after marriage were not met. Acid attacks are perpetrated in Bangladesh where over two hundred (200) attacks occur annually. Honour killings in countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Jordon, Pakistan and Turkey are not unusual. Rape is used as a weapon in the Democratic Republic of Congo where some forty (40) women are raped daily.

Gender Affairs Annual Reports for the period 2005 to 2008

The data below illustrates reports done by the Rape Crisis Society over a six (6) year period from 2000 to 2005.

Risks associated with GBV

Higher rates of HIV/ other STD`s

Broken bones

Damage to reproductive organs

The social & psychological effects are just as

traumatizing,, leaving many victims feeling

isolated & vulnerable

Measures to be taken regarding the prevention of domestic violence

To develop a partnership between the authorities responsible for the protection of women`s rights & regional and local authorities in order to increase the# of rehabilitation centers & shelters for women victims of domestic violence

To launch through media, national awareness campaigns against domestic violence

To start education on gender equality and non violent behaviour at a very early stage and to ensure adequate training for teachers on the issue of domestic violence and gender equality.

Violence against men Women aren't the only victims of domestic violence.

Understand the signs of domestic violence against men, and know how to get help.

Domestic violence — also known as domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence against men can take many forms, including emotional, sexual and physical abuse and threats of abuse. It can happen in heterosexual or same sex relationships.

It might not be easy to recognize domestic violence against men. Early in the relationship, your partner might seem attentive, generous and protective in ways that later turn out to be controlling and frightening. Initially, the abuse might appear as isolated incidents. Your partner might apologize and promise not to abuse you again.

In other relationships, domestic violence against men might include both partners slapping or shoving each other when they get angry — and neither partner seeing himself or herself as being abused or controlled. This type of violence, however, can still devastate a relationship, causing both physical and emotional damage.

You might be experiencing domestic violence if your partner: Calls you names, insults you or puts you down

Prevents you from going to work or school

Stops you from seeing family members or friends

Tries to control how you spend money, where you go or what you wear

Acts jealous or possessive or constantly accuses you of being unfaithful

Gets angry when drinking alcohol or using drugs

Threatens you with violence or a weapon

Hits, kicks, shoves, slaps, chokes or otherwise hurts you, your children or your pets

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

Threatens to tell friends, family, colleagues or community members your sexual orientation or gender identity

Tells you that authorities won't help a gay, bisexual or transgender person

Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that gay, bisexual or transgender relationships are deviant

Justifies abuse by telling you that you're not "really" gay, bisexual or transgender

Children and abuse

Domestic violence affects children, even if they're just

witnesses. If you have children, remember that exposure to

domestic violence puts them at risk of developmental problems,

psychiatric disorders, problems at school, aggressive behavior

and low self-esteem.

You might worry that seeking help could further endanger you

and your children, or that it might break up your family. Fathers

might fear that abusive partners will try to take their children

away from them. However, getting help is the best way to

protect your children — and yourself.

Interventions Psychosocial support

Professional counseling of survivors of GBV and theirfamilies (Individuals and support groups)

Distribution of aid materials such as clothes, food,sanitary towels, etc

Training and capacity building of health workers inother

health facilities, police,prosecutors, magistrates,community based organizationsamong others on impact of GBVin the society & how to handleGBV survivors

Cont`d Referrals for accommodation (Shelter homes)

and legal aid services

Community awareness programmes (Community

trainings and media coverage) to enhance

awareness of the nature, manifestation,

dynamics and impact of GBV & HIV/AIDS with

the aim of influencing public opinion and

perceptions on GBV and enroll public to fight

GBV and HIV/AIDS (reduce levels of GBV).

Including Legal awareness

THANK YOU!!!

Questions What is gender based violence

What is the effect of psychological violence on one`s health

What are some examples of sexual violence

What are some of the interventions that could be put in place to alleviate GBV

What are some of the risks that GBV can be associated with