on society

The World Health Organization reports that violence against women puts an undue burden on
health care services with women who have suffered violence being more likely to need health
services and at higher cost, compared to women who have not suffered violence.[9] Several
studies have shown a link between poor treatment of women and international violence. These
studies show that one of the best predictors of inter- and intranational violence is the
maltreatment of women in the society.[10][11]
Types of violence
Domestic violence
Main article: Domestic violence
Women are more likely to be victimized by someone that they are intimate with, commonly
called "Intimate Partner Violence" or (IPV). The impact of domestic violence in the sphere of
total violence against women can be understood through the example that 40-70% of murders of
women are committed by their husband or boyfriend.[12] Studies have shown that violence is not
always perpetrated as a form of physical violence but can also be psychological and verbal.[13][14]
In unmarried relationships this is commonly called dating violence, whereas in the context of
marriage it is called domestic violence. Instances of IPV tend not to be reported to police and
thus many experts believe that the true magnitude of the problem is hard to estimate.[15] In the
US, in 2005, 1181 women, in comparison with 329 men, were killed by their intimate partners.[16]
[17]

Though this form of violence is often portrayed as an issue within the context of heterosexual
relationships, it also occurs in lesbian relationships,[18] daughter-mother relationships, roommate
relationships and other domestic relationships involving two women. Violence against women in
lesbian relationships is about as common as violence against women in heterosexual
relationships.[19]
Diagnosis planning
The American Psychiatric Association planning and research committees for the forthcoming
DSM-5 (2013) have canvassed a series of new Relational disorders which include Marital
Conflict Disorder Without Violence or Marital Abuse Disorder (Marital Conflict Disorder With
Violence).[20] Couples with marital disorders sometimes come to clinical attention because the
couple recognize long-standing dissatisfaction with their marriage and come to the clinician on
their own initiative or are referred by an astute health care professional. Secondly, there is
serious violence in the marriage which is -"usually the husband battering the wife".[21] In these
cases the emergency room or a legal authority often is the first to notify the clinician. Most
importantly, marital violence "is a major risk factor for serious injury and even death and women
in violent marriages are at much greater risk of being seriously injured or killed (National
Advisory Council on Violence Against Women 2000)."[22] The authors of this study add that
"There is current considerable controversy over whether male-to-female marital violence is best
regarded as a reflection of male psychopathology and control or whether there is an empirical
base and clinical utility for conceptualizing these patterns as relational."[22]
Recommendations for clinicians making a diagnosis of Marital Relational Disorder should
include the assessment of actual or "potential" male violence as regularly as they assess the
potential for suicide in depressed patients. Further, "clinicians should not relax their vigilance
after a battered wife leaves her husband, because some data suggest that the period immediately
following a marital separation is the period of greatest risk for the women. Many men will stalk
and batter their wives in an effort to get them to return or punish them for leaving. Initial
assessments of the potential for violence in a marriage can be supplemented by standardized
interviews and questionnaires, which have been reliable and valid aids in exploring marital
violence more systematically."[22]
The authors conclude with what they call "very recent information"[23] on the course of violent
marriages which suggests that "over time a husband's battering may abate somewhat, but perhaps
because he has successfully intimidated his wife. The risk of violence remains strong in a
marriage in which it has been a feature in the past. Thus, treatment is essential here; the clinician
cannot just wait and watch."[23] The most urgent clinical priority is the protection of the wife
because she is the one most frequently at risk, and clinicians must be aware that supporting
assertiveness by a battered wife may lead to more beatings or even death.[23]
State violence
Labor camps
Many women underwent extrajudicial punishment in labor camps of Nazi Germany and the
Soviet Union. Their suffering was described in memories of former Gulag women prisoners
Yevgenia Ginzburg, Eufrosinia Kersnovskaya and others.
War and militarism
Militarism produces special environments that allow for increased violence against women. For
example, during World War II, the Japanese military established brothels for soldiers, exploiting
women for the purpose of creating access and entitlement for men (see Comfort women).
Another example of violence against women incited by militarism during war took place in the
Kovno Ghetto. Jewish male prisoners had access to (and used) Jewish women forced into camp
brothels by the Nazis, who also used them.[24] The 1998 United Nations International Criminal
Tribunal for Rwanda recognized rape as a war crime.
Violence in empowerment systems
When police officers misuse their power as agents of the state to physically and sexually harass
and assault women, the survivors feel much less able to report the violence.[25] It is standard
procedure for police to force entry into the victim's home even after the victim's numerous
requests for them to go away.[26] Government agencies often disregard the victim's right to
freedom of association with their perpetrator.[27] Shelter workers are often reduced themselves to
contributing to violence against women by exploiting their vulnerability in exchange for a paying
job.[28]
Activism
Many activists believe that working towards the elimination of domestic violence means working
to eliminate a societal hierarchy enforced through sexism. INCITE! Women of Color Against
Violence cited racism within the anti-violence movement and suggest that violence against
women will not end until the anti-violence movement re-directs its goal from "ending violence
against women" to "ending violence against women of color."[29] The same conclusion can be
drawn for other systems of oppression.
 Domestic violence against women: Recognize
patterns, seek help
Domestic violence is a serious threat for many women. Know the signs of an
abusive relationship and how to leave a dangerous situation.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Your partner apologizes and says the hurtful behavior won't happen again — but you fear it will. At
times you wonder whether you're imagining the abuse, yet the emotional or physical pain you feel is
real. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing domestic violence.

Recognize domestic violence

Domestic violence — also called domestic abuse, battering or intimate partner violence — occurs
between people in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence can take many forms, including
emotional, sexual and physical abuse. Men are sometimes abused by partners, but domestic violence
is most often directed toward women. Domestic violence can happen in heterosexual or homosexual
relationships.
It may not be easy to identify domestic violence at first. While some relationships are clearly abusive
from the outset, abuse often starts subtly and gets worse over time. You may be experiencing
domestic violence if you're in a relationship with someone who:
 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

 Forces you to have sex or engage in sexual acts against your will

 Blames you for his or her violent behavior or tells you that you deserve it

You may also be experiencing domestic violence if you're in a lesbian 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 homosexual, bisexual or transgendered person

 Tells you that leaving the relationship means you're admitting that homosexual relationships are
deviant
 Tells you that abuse is a normal part of homosexual relationships or that domestic violence can't occur
in homosexual relationships

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

 Says women can't be violent

 Portrays the violence as mutual and consensual

 Depicts the abuse as part of a sadomasochistic activity

Pregnancy, children and domestic violence

Sometimes domestic violence begins — or increases — during pregnancy. During this perilous time,
your health and the baby's health are at risk. The danger continues after the baby is born. Even if
your child isn't abused, simply witnessing domestic violence can be harmful. Children who grow up in
abusive homes are more likely to be abused and have behavioral problems than are other children. As
adults, they're more likely to become abusers or think abuse is a normal part of a relationship. You
may worry that seeking help will further endanger you and your child or that it may break up your
family, but it's the best way to protect your child — and yourself.

Break the cycle

If you're in an abusive situation, you may recognize this pattern:
 Your abuser threatens violence.

 Your abuser strikes.

 Your abuser apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts.

 The cycle repeats itself.

Typically the violence becomes more frequent and severe over time.
The longer you stay in an abusive relationship, the greater the toll on your self-esteem. You may
become depressed and anxious. You may begin to doubt your ability to take care of yourself or
wonder if the abuse is your fault. You may feel helpless or paralyzed. If you're in a lesbian
relationship, you may be less likely to seek help after an assault if you don't want to disclose your
sexual orientation. If you've been sexually assaulted by another woman, you may also fear that you
won't be believed. Still, the only way to break the cycle of domestic violence is to take action — and
the sooner the better.
Start by telling someone about the abuse, whether it's a friend, relative, doctor or other close contact.
At first, you may find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you'll also likely feel relief and receive much-
needed support.

Next page
(1 of 2)

 See Also
Hand Scheduled
Section Focus

 Domestic violence against men: Know the signs, seek help

 Forgiveness: Letting go of grudges and bitterness
 Infidelity: Mending your marriage after an affair
 Stepfamilies: How to help your child adjust
 Forgiving: Forgive others to start healing
 Sex therapy
 Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself
 What is sexual health? Why is it important?
 Premarital counseling
 Marriage counseling
 Family therapy
Related Links
References

1. Understanding intimate partner violence. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.ndvh.org/educate/abuse_in_america.html. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
2. Violence against women: What is abuse? U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/signs/. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
3. Safety planning list. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/planning/safetyplanninglist.pdf. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
4. Domestic and intimate partner violence. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/types/domestic.cfm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
5. Violence against women: Court order of protection. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
http://www.4woman.gov/violence/prevent/civil.cfm. Jan. 30, 2009.
6. Women's health: Domestic violence. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp083.cfm. Accessed Jan. 30, 2009.
7. Let's talk facts about domestic violence. American Psychiatric Association.
http://healthyminds.org/factsheets/LTF-DomesticViolence.pdf. Accessed Feb. 10, 2009.
8. McHugh MC, et al. Intimate partner violence: New directions. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
2006;1087:121.
9. Violence at home. American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/pi/violenceathome.html. Accessed
Feb. 10, 2009.
10. AAMFT consumer update: Domestic violence. American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
http://www.aamft.org/families/consumer_updates/domestic_violence.asp. Accessed Feb. 10, 2009.
11. Internet safety. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
http://www.ncadv.org/protectyourself/InternetSafety_121.html. Accessed Feb. 11, 2009.
12. Southworth C, et al. Intimate partner violence, technology and stalking. Violence Against Women.
2007;13:842.
13. Torpy JM. Intimate partner violence. The Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:754.
14. Pitt EL, et al. Violence and trauma: Recognitions, recovery and prevention. In: Makadon HJ, et al. The Fenway
Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Healthcare. Philadelphia, Pa.: American College of
Physicians; 2008:253.
15. Issues: Domestic violence. National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs.
http://www.ncavp.org/issues/DomesticViolence.aspx. Accessed March 25, 2009.
WO00044

May 23, 2009

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