Violence against women has significant negative health consequences for victims. Women who experience partner violence have worse general health, more health symptoms, and increased risk of mental distress and suicidal thoughts. Violence can also negatively impact children who witness it, increasing risks of behavioral issues, low birth weight, and emotional problems. Many women never report the violence due to shame, fear of further violence, or lack of support systems. When they do seek help, it is usually from family rather than formal agencies. Domestic violence represents a major global women's health issue with both immediate and long-lasting impacts.

1. 1Examples of consequences of VAW

2. Violence impacts on women’s health I suffered a long time and swallowed my pain. That is why I am constantly visiting doctors and using medicines. No one should have to do this. Woman interviewed in Serbia & MontenegroWomen who have ever experienced violence by a partner have:Worse general healthMore symptoms of ill health such as pain, memory loss, dizziness in the past 4 weeksMore signs of mental distressMore suicidal thoughts and attemptsMore induced abortions and miscarriages2

3. Partner violence increases risk of suicidal thoughts3

4. Violent acts as a risk factor for ill healthAn association between recent ill health and lifetimeexperiences of violence suggest that the negative consequences of violence can persist long after the violence has ended4

5. 5Other outcomes related to violenceFor children:low birth-weightemotional well-beingbehavioural difficulties problems at schoolleave homeFor women:injuriesown healthfinancial statusability to workability to functionparticipate in society

6. Percentage of women who report her children witnessed violent incidents, among women who reported physical violence6

7. Associations between physical partner violence and behavioural problems in children 5-12 years old. Table shows odds ratios adjusted for number of children in same age group living in household, partnership status and educational level of respondent and site7

8. Violence is hidden and brings shameIf I protest I’ll be marked in the society and then my daughter wouldn’t be able to get married… If I voice my protest the community will blame me for not bearing it in silence. This helplessness is a torture in itself. Woman, 43 years old, interviewed in BangladeshOne-fifth to two-thirds of women had never told anyone about their partner’s violence prior to the WHO interview8

9. Silence and stigmaMany women never talk about domestic violence with anybody“I went to my mother first..... I told little by little. Her reaction was ‘Didn’t we tell you?’ ‘You brought this upon yourself, now you pay for it’, ‘There is the child, what will you do? Where will you go?’ and so on ....”Woman interviewed in Turkey9

10. The majority of women never contact formal support servicesBetween 55% and 95% of physically abused women had never sought help from any formal agency or person in a position of authorityTo the extent that women do reach out, they do so to family and friends, not formal agencies or the policeAt work I have one close friend. I told her sometimes. She would nod and encourage me to stay in the relationship. For the kids, she said. He is not that bad. No one is perfect.Woman, 25 years old, interviewed in urban Thailand10

11. Some of the barriers to talking or taking action for domestic violence victimsShame, embarrassment Fear for more violenceFear for her childrenThinks it is normal/that he will changeThinks she will not be believedEconomic dependenceFamily honor/not wanting to shame the familyLack of safe alternativesLack of community/ family supportWomen are overwhelmed from physical and psychological trauma11

12. “I said in the hospital that I had fallen, because if I told the truth he would kill me, and I was also ashamed that they would find out that it was my husband who had beaten me. ”12

13. 13ConclusionsDomestic violence against women affects a significant proportion of women around the world, with grave consequences for them and their children Violence against women is linked with shame and stigma and represents a hidden burden on health systems

14. 14Photos: Henriette Jansen