Domestic violence
What is it?
Violence against women largely takes place in what is supposedly the protected area within one’s own four walls. In many cases, domestic violence happens not just once but again and again in a relationship or ex-relationship, and escalates over time. Women from all walks of life, with various incomes, levels of education and of all origins can be affected.
Violence by intimate partners, former intimate partners or other people, who live in a common household, is called domestic violence.The actual crime scene is not always one’s own home. If a partner threatens his (ex)-wife in the street or if he exercises violence yet lives in another home, this violence is still called domestic violence.
Domestic violence against women is predominantly exercised by men. In many cases, domestic violence happens not just once but again and again in a relationship or ex-relationship, and can also escalate over time. In the majority of cases, perpetrators do not only use one form of violence.
Acts of domestic violence include:
- threats
- humiliation
- driving someone into social isolation
- battering, kicking
- throwing objects
- forcing sexual activity
- and many more forms
Violent behaviour is often used either consciously or unconsciously as a means of exercising power and control. Violence against women occurs around the world. Women from all walks of life, with various incomes, levels of education and of all origins can become victims of domestic violence.
Women experiencing violence often feel left alone and are ashamed of what is done to them. As well as being scared of their partners and concerned about their children or the “gossip” of neighbours, relatives and colleagues at work, they often also feel guilty and powerless. Persistent domestic violence forces those affected to live in permanent fear of the next unpredictable eruption of violence.
Violence against children does not come within the term of domestic violence, and yet children frequently co-experience domestic violence against their mothers either directly or indirectly. They should receive independent support.
