We explain what gender violence is, its types, causes and effects. Also, what to do in the event of gender violence.
What is gender violence?
Gender violence It is the violence that one person exerts on another solely because of their gender. Violent actions are all those that negatively affect the identity, sexuality and reproductive freedom, physical and mental health and social well-being of a person.
In many legislations, the concept of gender violence It applies to violence against women. This type of violence includes dynamics of domination, threats and the arbitrary deprivation of political and civil liberties in the social, domestic, political or work sphere.
Among the most aberrant acts of gender violence are: female infanticide, rape, forced prostitution, abortions based on the sex of the unborn, violence against prostitutes, genital mutilation, human trafficking, harassment and harassment within organizations, domestic violence.
See also: Machismo
Types of gender violence
- Physical violence. Action that is carried out in order to cause pain or injury. This type of aggression affects the physical integrity of the person and occurs in work, social or family relationships.
- Psychological violence. Action that is carried out in order to produce in the victim feelings of devaluation and suffering. These acts can be: insults, controlling and reproachful attitudes, humiliation, lack of respect, among others. Although its consequences are difficult to detect, they affect the emotional stability of the victim in the long term.
- Sexual violence. Action that violates (by force or threats) a person's freedom to choose when, how and in what way to have sexual relations. Sexual violence includes rape and abuse.
- Economic violence. Action that involves the unlawful retention, destruction or theft of property or money by the perpetrator. This type of aggression usually occurs in the domestic environment and produces the decrease or total elimination of the physical and mental well-being of the victim and their children.
- Symbolic violence. Oppression that is exerted on an individual (through messages that establish gender stereotypes) that forces them to take an inferior position with respect to people of another gender.
- Domestic violence. Violent action carried out by one member of the family group on another; It can occur between blood relatives or members by affinity, such as a couple.
- Institutional violence. Acts perpetuated by officials and employees belonging to any institution or organization to hinder the exercise of rights and the obtaining of benefits of an individual.
- Obstetric violence. Violent action that occurs towards pregnant and non-pregnant women by health sector workers. For example: the abuse of medicalization or dehumanized treatment.
Causes of gender violence
- Gender stereotypes. The difference in roles imposed on individuals according to their gender generates attitudes of discrimination and intolerance within the different areas of a society. This unequal treatment given to individuals based on their gender can lead to situations of violence.
- Cultural prejudices. The sexist ideology proliferates the idea of male superiority and primacy over people of another gender. Machismo uses violence as a control mechanism; these patterns of behavior are usually transmitted from generation to generation.
- Desires for power and domination. Individuals of the male gender exert violence on people of another gender to strengthen their authority and their belief of superiority.
Consequences of gender violence
- In physical health. It can cause minor or serious physical injuries and even death to the victim. Main injuries: burns, trauma, bruises, worsening of pre-existing diseases.
- In mental health. It can cause irreversible emotional damage to the victim. Main consequences: low self-esteem, emotional instability, anxiety, eating or sleeping disorders, post-traumatic stress, depression, suicide attempt.
- In reproductive health. Forced sexual relations can lead to sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Violence in pregnant women can lead to spontaneous abortions.
- In social health. It can produce social isolation of the victim, deterioration in social relationships. One of the consequences of domestic violence is the exposure of children in the family to violent situations.
Violence against men
The legislation of various countries attributes the concept of gender violence to violence against women. The distinction made regarding violence against men is that it does not necessarily occur due to a gender issue. However, violence against men exists and must be denounced.
Gender prejudices and stereotypes lead to the number of complaints being much lower than cases in which men suffer domestic violence. There are organizations that work to make this type of violence visible, since In many cases the victim does not dare to report.
In certain contexts, such as wars or prison service, the male gender is exposed and is a victim of physical, psychological and sexual violence.
How to prevent gender violence?
One of the main ways to avoid gender violence is prevention. It is important that members of societies work together to make the problem visible and prevent new cases and victims.
Domestic sphere
- Educate boys and girls about gender equality and respect for others.
- Report if you suffer or witness gender violence.
- Find out about the measures to take into account in case of violence.
Social sphere
- Guarantee the presence of women in all spheres of society.
- Break down sexist stereotypes that contribute to gender disparities.
- Condemn violent practices on public roads and in public spaces.
- Report if you witness an act of gender violence.
Political and legislative sphere
- Develop policies, programs and campaigns that give visibility to the problem and support victims.
- Generate safe environments and environments to avoid violence.
- Enact laws that punish violent behavior and defend the victim.
- Enable quick and effective reporting channels.
What to do in the event of gender violence?
If I am a victim:
- Give notice. Call the police or the gender violence hotline.
- Save documentation. Choose a safe place and also include documentation for your children, if they exist.
- Seek medical attention. Go to a medical care center, the report issued by that center will be sent to the local court in case of initiating legal action. In the medical care center, a psychologist can take tests to record the psychological state at the time of the attack.
- Collect evidence. Take photographs of the injuries and look for witnesses who may have seen or heard the violence.
- Report the assault. File the report at any police station, it is not necessary to have a lawyer and the identity of the complainant can be reserved.
- Request a protection order. Depending on the case, it implies exclusion from the home, prohibition of approach and perimeter protection against the aggressor.
If I am a witness:
On public roads
- Report, in most cities there is a free line to report cases of gender violence. If it does not exist, call the police.
- Draw the attention of passersby to intimidate the attacker.
- Offer help and support to the victim.
In the domestic sphere
- Listen and accompany the victim.
- Offer help to make the relevant report.
- Offer help to guide you with public and private organizations that deal with this problem.
- Understand that this may be a delicate physical and psychological moment for the victim, so it is advisable not to exert any type of pressure on them.
Continue with: Feminist movement
References
- “Violence against women: cause and consequence of inequality” in the United Nations Development Program.
- “Life without violence” in the Government of Mexico.
- “Manual for the prevention of gender violence” in the Government of Mexico.
- “16 measures to end violence against women” at UN Women.
- “Domestic violence against men” on Wikipedia.
