Gender-Based

Violence
By: Cristy Cervantes
What is Gender-Based Violence?
• Gender violence is violence that targets individuals or groups based
on their gender.
• Gender based violence occurs to both genders.
• Gender based violence can be displayed in various forms such as:
Why is this a problem?
The unsettling statistics are…
• According to a 2013 study, more than 35% of women worldwide have experienced
physical, sexual or emotional violence (WHO, 2013).
• In the United States, 1 in 3 women are victims of gender-based violence.
• 65% of all women have experienced street harassment
• 23% have been sexually touched
• 20% have been followed
• 9% have been forced to do something sexual.
• Food service and hospitality workers report the highest levels of sexual harassment in the
workplace and often have the least amount of employment protections.
• Native Americans double the rate of other racial groups; 4 in 5 have experienced violence
in their lifetime.
In Arizona…
• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate
partner.
• Every 44 minutes, one or more children are witnesses to domestic violence.
• More than 40% of victims delay leaving because of shelter, food and fear.
• Between 2001 and 2010, when controlling for population, arrests for domestic violence
aggravated assault increased 82%.
• There are over 100 domestic violence-related deaths each year.
• In 2012, Arizona ranked eight in the nation in femicides per capita.
Role of Public Health, Media and
Community Advocates
Role of Public Health
• Public Health provide the most current and up-to-date information,
approaches and strategies as well as work with other agencies, partners,
stakeholders and community to find ways on preventing gender-based
violence (AZDHS, 2020).
Role of the Media
• To share evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies provided at live
conferences, webinars and various meetings to the community via media.
Role of Community Advocates
• There are over 30 local advocacy programs and groups in Maricopa County.
Role of Arizona Government
• Unfortunately, there is no clear gender-based violence policy or laws
within Arizona other than laws being associated domestic violence or
sexual violence.
• In Arizona, first- and second-time domestic violence offenders are not
charged with domestic violence; only the third incident is charged as
domestic violence (NCADV, 2015).
• “If you are found guilty of a misdemeanor domestic violence charge for a
third time in a seven-year period you can be charged with a felony and
sentenced to prison time. Aggravated domestic violence is considered a Class
5 felony and carries up to 2 ½ years in prison for a first conviction” (AZ Rev.
Stat. § 13-3601, 2019).
Recommendations
• “The State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
(PRM) aims to be a catalyst to elevate the issue of Gender Based Violence
(GBV) in conflict-affected settings – and, ultimately to improve dialogue,
evidence, response, innovation, coordination, and leadership” (U.S.
Department of State, n.d.).
• The United States Government has recognized that gender-based
violence is a critical issue which is mostly targeted towards girls and
women.
• Expand on programs such as: Safe From the Start (SftS), which will protect
women and girls when disasters or emergencies strike which invested
$18.3 million in the program in 2019.
My Proposal to Recommendations
• Ultimately, no one should ever endure these unacceptable forms of
hatred, discrimination and injustices.
• Advise public health, policy and law makers to come together to
incorporate gender-based violence as a separate policy/law.
• Reevaluate data and see how men are affected.
• Create more safe haven programs for everyone in all AZ counties.
• Provide resources and other information at medical facilities, religious
organizations, schools and workplace.
 References
• AZ. Rev. Stat. . § 13-3601. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/03601.htm
• AZDHS. (Sept. 2018). Arizona- Ending Sexual Violence. Retrieved from
https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/prevention/womens-childrens-health/womens-
health/sexual-violence-prevention/az-sexual-violence-primary-prevention-action-report.pdf
• Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. (n.d.). Domestic Violence. Retrieved from
https://www.maricopacountyattorney.org
• NCADV. (2015). Domestic violence national statistics. Retrieved from www.ncadv.org
• PHR. (n.d.). Story: Targeted for Rape and Sexual Violence. Physicians for Human Rights. Retrieved
from https://phr.org/story/fleeing-for-their-lives-sexual-and-gender-based-violence/#1
• Soul City Institute. (n.d). Gender Based Violence Statistics. Retrieved from
https://www.soulcity.org.za/campaigns/gbv/infographics/infographic-gender-based-violence-
statistics
 References
• The New Humanitarian. (Sept. 1, 2014). Definition of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence. Retrieved
from https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/feature/2004/09/01/definitions-sexual-and-gender-
based-violence#:~:text=Definitions%20of%20sexual%20and%20gender-based%20violence
%201%20Gender-based,Power.%20...%2010%20Consent.%20...%20More%20items...%20
• US AID. (May 7, 2019). Preventing and Responding to Gender-based Violence. U.S. Agency for
International Development. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/gbv
• U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). Gender-based Violence. Retrieved from
https://www.state.gov/other-policy-issues/gender-and-gender-based-violence/
• WHO. (2013). Violence against women: a ’global health problem of epidemic proportions.’
Retrieved from
https://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/violence_against_women_20130620/en/
• WHO. (n.d.). Western Pacific: Factsheet
http://www.wpro.who.int/topics/human_rights/Fact_sheet_Violence_Against_Women.PDF?ua=1
• YWCA. (Sept. 2017). Gender- Based Violence Facts. Retrieved from https://www.ywca.org/wp-
content/uploads/WWV-GBV-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf