Violence and abuse affect women from all kinds of backgrounds every day.
Sometimes, women are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them. Violence and abuse can cause terrible physical and emotional pain. An estimated one in every three women worldwide experiences violence, rates reaching as high as 70 percent in some countries. Gender-based violence ranges from rape to domestic abuse and acid burnings to dowry deaths and so-called “honor killings.”
Violence strikes all kinds of women of all ages. It can happen at work, on the street, or at home. There are many different types of abuse that women have to suffer through. One of them is physical abuse. They may deal with hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, choking, biting, burning, shoving, having objects or weapons used against them, getting locked in rooms or closed spaces, and interfering with sleeping or eating. There is also psychological or emotional abuse. Repetitive and excessive criticism, humiliation and degradation, which can include swearing, name calling and put-downs, and restricting or controlling access to personal or social resources or friends. There may also be stalking, and harassing behavior like following, appearing unexpectedly or waiting outside a workplace or home, and repeated phone calls, texts or emails to the victim and victim’s family, friends and colleagues.
There are many ways of unhealthy coping after getting abused. A woman may feel terribly afraid, confused, shocked, angry, or emotionally numb. They tend to separate themselves from people. They refuse to do any activities and have sudden changes in eating habits. Everyone is different, and all these feelings are natural. Experiencing abuse or attack may lead to many mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. They fear almost everything, and always feel stressed. Some abused women try using drugs, alcohol, smoking, or overeating to cope, but this can lead to greater physical and emotional problems. They believe that the drugs can take away the pain that they are in and make everything better, and that the smoking calms down their nerves.
Violence against women is a problem to the success of the purposes of equality, development and peace. It both violates and damages women’s rights and freedoms. In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. The low social and economic status of women can be both a cause and a consequence of this violence. Abusing women in my opinion is very wrong. People believe, especially men, since we are a different gender, that we are unable to stand up for ourselves, and aren't tough enough to do it. They believe that they are in charge, and that women are “property.” We are certainly not property, and men do not own us. We are people, and we deserve all the same rights as men.
Unfortunately, one in every three women worldwide are victims of sexual, physical, emotional, and other abuse during their lifetime. That adds up to about 1 billion abused women around the world every single year. Despite the tremendous gains of the 21st century, discrimination and violence against women and girls remain firmly rooted in cultures around the world. If you're in an abusive situation, you might recognize the pattern. Your abuser threatens violence, your abuser strikes, your abuser apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts, and then the cycle repeats itself. If you get abused, start by telling someone about it, whether it's a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact. At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you'll also likely feel relief and receive much-needed support. Don't let anyone put you down, stand up for yourself.
Sometimes, women are attacked by strangers, but most often they are hurt by people who are close to them. Violence and abuse can cause terrible physical and emotional pain. An estimated one in every three women worldwide experiences violence, rates reaching as high as 70 percent in some countries. Gender-based violence ranges from rape to domestic abuse and acid burnings to dowry deaths and so-called “honor killings.”
Violence strikes all kinds of women of all ages. It can happen at work, on the street, or at home. There are many different types of abuse that women have to suffer through. One of them is physical abuse. They may deal with hitting, punching, slapping, kicking, choking, biting, burning, shoving, having objects or weapons used against them, getting locked in rooms or closed spaces, and interfering with sleeping or eating. There is also psychological or emotional abuse. Repetitive and excessive criticism, humiliation and degradation, which can include swearing, name calling and put-downs, and restricting or controlling access to personal or social resources or friends. There may also be stalking, and harassing behavior like following, appearing unexpectedly or waiting outside a workplace or home, and repeated phone calls, texts or emails to the victim and victim’s family, friends and colleagues.
There are many ways of unhealthy coping after getting abused. A woman may feel terribly afraid, confused, shocked, angry, or emotionally numb. They tend to separate themselves from people. They refuse to do any activities and have sudden changes in eating habits. Everyone is different, and all these feelings are natural. Experiencing abuse or attack may lead to many mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. They fear almost everything, and always feel stressed. Some abused women try using drugs, alcohol, smoking, or overeating to cope, but this can lead to greater physical and emotional problems. They believe that the drugs can take away the pain that they are in and make everything better, and that the smoking calms down their nerves.
Violence against women is a problem to the success of the purposes of equality, development and peace. It both violates and damages women’s rights and freedoms. In all societies, to a greater or lesser degree, women and girls are subjected to physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cuts across lines of income, class and culture. The low social and economic status of women can be both a cause and a consequence of this violence. Abusing women in my opinion is very wrong. People believe, especially men, since we are a different gender, that we are unable to stand up for ourselves, and aren't tough enough to do it. They believe that they are in charge, and that women are “property.” We are certainly not property, and men do not own us. We are people, and we deserve all the same rights as men.
Unfortunately, one in every three women worldwide are victims of sexual, physical, emotional, and other abuse during their lifetime. That adds up to about 1 billion abused women around the world every single year. Despite the tremendous gains of the 21st century, discrimination and violence against women and girls remain firmly rooted in cultures around the world. If you're in an abusive situation, you might recognize the pattern. Your abuser threatens violence, your abuser strikes, your abuser apologizes, promises to change and offers gifts, and then the cycle repeats itself. If you get abused, start by telling someone about it, whether it's a friend, loved one, health care provider or other close contact. At first, you might find it hard to talk about the abuse. But you'll also likely feel relief and receive much-needed support. Don't let anyone put you down, stand up for yourself.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery. It involves controlling a person through force, or fraud to exploit the victim for forced labor, sexual exploitation, or both. Human trafficking strips victims of theirfreedom and violates our nation’s promise that every person in the United States is guaranteed basic human rights. It is also a crime.
Approximately three out of every 1,000 persons worldwide were in forced labor at any given point in time between 2002 and 2011. Victims of human trafficking include not only women lured into forced labor by the promise of a better life in the United States, but also girls.
The Act (What is done)
- Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons.
Some facts about human trafficking in children:
What are some signs of being abused?
You may be being abused if your partner:
- Monitors what you're doing all the time
- Unfairly accuses you of being unfaithful all the time
- Prevents or discourages you from seeing friends or family
- Prevents or discourages you from going to work or school
- Controls how you spend your money
- Controls your use of needed medicines
- Decides things for you that you should be allowed to decide
(like what to wear or eat)
- Humiliates you in front of others.
- Destroys your property or things you care about.
- Threatens to hurt you, children or pets.
- Hurts you (by hitting, beating, pushing, shoving,punching, slapping,
kicking, or biting)
- Uses (or threatens to use) a weapon against you
- Blames you for his or her violent outbursts
- Threatens to harm himself or herself when upset with you
- Says things like "If I can't have you, no one can."
Approximately three out of every 1,000 persons worldwide were in forced labor at any given point in time between 2002 and 2011. Victims of human trafficking include not only women lured into forced labor by the promise of a better life in the United States, but also girls.
The Act (What is done)
- Recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons.
Some facts about human trafficking in children:
- UNICEF estimates that 1,000 to 1,500 Guatemalan babies and children are
trafficked each year for adoption by couples in North America and Europe.
- Girls as young as 13 (mainly from Asia and Eastern Europe) are trafficked as
“mail-order brides.” In most cases these girls and women are powerless and
isolated and at great risk of violence.
- Large numbers of children are being trafficked in West and Central Africa,
mainly for domestic work but also for sexual exploitation and to work in shops
or on farms. Nearly 90 per cent of these trafficked domestic workers are girls.
- Children from Togo, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana are trafficked to Nigeria,
Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Gabon. Children are trafficked both in and out of
Benin and Nigeria. Some children are sent as far away as the Middle East and
Europe.
What are some signs of being abused?
You may be being abused if your partner:
- Monitors what you're doing all the time
- Unfairly accuses you of being unfaithful all the time
- Prevents or discourages you from seeing friends or family
- Prevents or discourages you from going to work or school
- Controls how you spend your money
- Controls your use of needed medicines
- Decides things for you that you should be allowed to decide
(like what to wear or eat)
- Humiliates you in front of others.
- Destroys your property or things you care about.
- Threatens to hurt you, children or pets.
- Hurts you (by hitting, beating, pushing, shoving,punching, slapping,
kicking, or biting)
- Uses (or threatens to use) a weapon against you
- Blames you for his or her violent outbursts
- Threatens to harm himself or herself when upset with you
- Says things like "If I can't have you, no one can."