Prevalence of Gender-Based Violence

Author: Janet Sankale

Bio: Janet Sankale holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice (Cum Laude) with a minor in psychology from the United States International University-Africa. She is an international human rights practitioner and criminal justice scholar with vast experience in engaging with numerous peer review mechanisms and a keen interest in promoting a balanced discussion on international justice through media and advocacy.

Connect with Janet: linkedin.com/in/simaloi-sankale-609337133

Throughout history, women were considered the property of men (“Chattel status”). Wife beating was accepted as a form of discipline by the husband, becoming the “rule of the thumb”, a guiding principle of legalised wife-beating. Several different terms have been used to identify acts of violence against women. The terms such as wife battering have failed to recognise cases of violence outside marriage such as violent relationships between cohabiting individuals, dating violence, or victims who were previously married to the batterer hence denying them legal protection. However, many scholars prefer the terminology ‘Intimate Partner Violence’ (IPV) which captures any form of abuse between an individual who currently has or had an intimate relationship independent of the formal or informal nature of the relationship, and irrespective of whether the relationship is heterosexual or homosexual (Mallicoat, 2011). 

Dating violence data on college campuses indicates that 32% of students report a history of dating violence in a previous relationship and 21% indicate that they are currently experiencing violence in their dating relationship (Sellers & Bromley, 1996). Teens are at high risk of dating violence because of inexperience in relationships and heightened views of “romantic love”. Unfortunately, these have led to increased health risks to adolescent girls such as the use of alcohol and drug abuse, risky sexual behaviour like unprotected sex, risk of pregnancy, and multiple partners. These early onsets of violence and abuse in a relationship carry on to adulthood as adolescent victims often find themselves in a pattern of an abusive relationship as adults. 

The majority of IPV involves couples composed of a male and a female, but the world is now evolving and different countries, especially from the West, recognise and have also legalised homosexuality or same-sex relationships. The National Crime Victimisation Survey data found that IPV also occurs in same-sex relationships: whereby 3% of females were victimised by a same-sex partner and 16% of males were abused by their male partners (Silverman, Raj, Mucci, & Hathaway, 2001). Females in same-sex relationships similarly experience IPV due to jealousy, controlling behaviours, substance abuse, history of violent behaviours, or attempt to leave the relationship – just the same factors as heterosexual battering relationships. (Catalano, Smith, Snyder, & Rand, 2009). Homophobia, discrimination at individual and societal levels, and gender role stereotyping also play a major role in causing IPV. According to research done by (Hassouneh & Glass, 2008), gender role stereotyping is such as girls don’t fight other girls, fights between girls are less significant, absence of patriarchy means no violence.

The unequal position of women in relationships and society. Our society is patriarchal; it only recognizes the male figure. Society considers men as active, aggressive, selfish, workplace, economically, and politically superior to women. While women are considered as tolerant, sensitive, selfless, homemaker, child-bearer, sex objects, and nurturing. Young boys are raised and educated to believe that they are entitled to a higher social status than women. Women who tend to show power were disliked and stigmatised by society or even banished from society. Women have little access to resources, employment and promotion, lower income levels, and little involvement in decision-making. These societal norms legitimise IPV and abuse and give Men the power against women, hence treating women as puppets and using violence to resolve conflict. The traditional concepts of masculinity assume that men have the final say and that women need their instruction (Oram, Khalifeh, & Howard, 2017).

Victims of domestic violence are reluctant to report such cases to the police because of social bonds with the abuser. For instance, women who go through wife battering protect their male partners (Felson, Messner, Hoskin, & Deane, 2002). Women who are assaulted by their husbands may not want to get their husbands into trouble because of the desire to continue for either emotional or economic reasons (Pagelow & Pagelow, 1984). Wives who are economically dependent on their husbands may not want to disrupt the source of income. In cases in which women at least report this violence they may not be willing to assist in prosecution may be due to fear of reprisal. 

Men are more likely not to report cases of domestic violence as much as women. Reasons span across issues of stigma, and societal pressure. Society expects men to be strong, “MAN UP”. This makes them keep their emotions locked up, these societal attitudes that they should express masculinity make a male victim feel unsafe and uncomfortable. They are also concerned about embarrassment and status. The lack of support from society is a challenge when reporting such cases.

Throughout history, women were considered the property of men. Wife battering was accepted as a form of discipline by their husband (Mallicoat, 2011). The “rule of the thumb” was a guiding principle of legalised wife-beating.  Some women see beating as an expression of love. African culture allows an African man to beat his woman as an expression of true love; making it sad because some women have accepted this lie (Masinde, 2015).

However, women today have come out to speak about IPV or domestic violence. Society has created policies, especially protecting women against IPV. Unfortunately, there is no policing preventing the same same-sex violence, especially in African countries, but the Western part of the world has it. The feminist movement has created awareness against IPV such as warning signs. Many cases so far have been reported and justice has been served. Most governments provide safety and support for victims to rebuild their lives through helplines, women’s shelters, medical and psychological counselling, financial issues, and employment. Interventions for children exposed to intimate partner violence and abuse are also provided. It is important to raise awareness of community resources,  hoping that more victims will know where to go for help. According to Anderson et al., 2003, an abusive relationship is complicated and evolves as circumstances change. Enhanced community awareness will have a positive effect on both perception and prevention.

References

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2. Hassouneh, D., & Glass, N. (2008). The influence of gender-role stereotyping on women’s experiences of female same-sex intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 14(3), 310–325.
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