This document discusses various forms of violence against women including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, rape, domestic violence, stalking, sexual abuse of children, and sexual harassment. It notes that the majority of violence against both men and women is committed by men and is about power and control. It outlines risk factors, common reactions, recovery processes, and actions that can be taken to address these issues including building support networks, safety planning, and changing cultural attitudes around gender roles and male dominance.

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By Smbat Defterderian

2.  Sexual Violence, Intimate-partner Violence, And
other abuse of women/children is growing problem.
 Majority of Violence against both men and women
is inflicted by men
 Sexual violence can be more insidious because
sexual acts are used ordinarily as a source of
pleasure rather than pain

3.  Causes:
• Psychological Problems
• Sexual Frustration
• Childhood Abuse
• Unbearable Life Pressures
• Drug/Alcohol Abuse
 Violence against women is about power and control
exerted over another person.

4.  Women Who are at a greater risk:
o Women of color
o Young women
o Older women
o Illegal immigrants
o Refugees
o Lesbians
o Transsexuals
o Transgender
o Women with disabilities

5.  Many survivors feel isolated because of a lack of
support, and because of the shame that surrounds
sexuality and victimization in our culture
• Isolation is used by child abusers and abusive inmate partners
 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
 Common Reactions to Violence:
o Self-blame, Shame, Fear, Terror, Anger, Rage, Substance
Abuse, Eating Disorders, Grief, Loss, Loss of Control, Changes
in Sexuality

6.  Recover is a multi step gradual process that requires
much reflection to help move through the healing
process.
 It requires the understanding that:
o The violence was not your fault
o You made the best choice you could
o There is no right way to feel or heal
o Healing takes time and there may be setbacks
o You deserve support

7.  One of the most common forms of sexual assault
 During Rape survival is primary instinct.
 Women are often blamed for rape and attempted rape
 Due to the cultural views on women in society, many do
not realize that they have been sexually assaulted until
sometime after the incident
 Rape in a long-term relationship is a form of domestic
abuse and can be difficult to find support for

8.  Campus Rape:
o Rape is the most common violent crime on college campuses
o Colleges are required by federal law to have a policy addressing
sexual assault and rape that occurs on campus
o Many college administrations downplay sexual assault to
maintain positive school reputation
 Gray Rape
 Although majority of rapes are committed by men, rape
by women does occur
 If you have been raped it is critical to gain medical
attention immediately

9.  Intimate Partner Violence  What to do?
or Domestic Violence are o Call National Domestic
the most common crimes Violence Hotline
yet the least reported o Build a Support Network
crimes in the world o Teach your children how to
call 911 for emergency
 Often follows a pattern assistance
o Look online for recourses
 Devastating Impact onto o Learn computer safety
children: o Prepare a safety plan
o Live in constant fear o Study abuser’s patterns
o Develop physical and
emotional responses to
violence.

10.  Legal system can help prevent many future cases via
court ordered restraining orders
 Applying for and securing welfare benefits can help
improve safety under a protection order
 Many hospitals have trained staff to deal with violence
against women
 Many community programs help end intimate partner
violence and provide a support system

11.  Both men and women are victims of stalking, but women
are three times more likely to be stalked
 3 out of 4 victims know their stalker
 30 percent of stalking involves a current or former
intimate partner who may monitor, follow, and track down
their partner
 Many women who experience stalking feel forced to
move residences, change jobs, or alter daily habits.
 Stalking is unpredictable and dangerous

12.  Sexual Abuse of Children:
o Occurs when older or more knowledgeable child or adult
forces, tricks, threatens, or pressures a child into sexual
awareness or activity
o Long term psychological consequences
o Often at the hands of a trusted adult
 Sexual Harassment
o Unwanted sexual attention
o Not limited to the workplace or school

13.  Most important step is
to stop people from
using violence to get
their way
 Self-defense through
assertiveness training,
exercise, and
boxing/other sports that
promote self-
confidence, self
knowledge, and self-
reliance is possible.

14. “Violence against women is about
power and coercive control
exerted over another person in
the context of a relationship,
culture, or social and institutional
system.”

15.  How do you think cultural stereotypes and
predetermined notions of the roles of men and
women contributed to violence against women
becoming a health problem of “epidemic
proportions”? And What can be done as individuals
to change this culture of male dominance and move
to put an end to the violence against women?