The World Health Organisation reports that 1 in 6 women suffers domestic violence and every 18 seconds somewhere a woman suffers domestic violence. Other official bodies suggest that the figure is even worse than that. In this article Toni Livesey gives some background.
Domestic Violence IT’S NOT ON!
It’s time to take a stand against domestic violence and it is also the time for men to take that stand also. One in four women will experience a violent relationship at some time in their lives. When you consider how many women there are in the world today that number is frightening.
On 17th December 1999 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution that designated the 25th November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This resolution was supported by Australia and since that date the Australian Government has marked the event with a range of community activities alongside the rest of the international community.
The White Ribbon Campaign is the largest effort in the world where men are working together to end men’s violence against women. Wearing a white ribbon is seen as a personal pledge to never commit, never to condone or remain silent about violence against women.
Domestic violence affects the whole family, women and children especially. It can sometimes be fatal and it is often ignored. Quite often the men who take control of their partner’s lives, see it as their right to do so. They show their power with their fists; their body blows hurt and can kill, but so does the emotional blackmail.
When the beatings stop, the emotional and mental anguish continues. Many women in these situations are desperate to leave but they stay because they believe that they cannot be loved by others. It is beaten into them that they are worthless and no one else would ever want them.
Unfortunately many women believe that they are not worthy and the abuse goes on…
Domestic violence isn’t just physical hitting.
It includes threatened violence and intimidation, the control of finances and emotional abuse or violence.
Domestic violence is all about one person using physical force and emotional abuse to control another.
Sexual abuse is when a husband pushes his wife into having sex without her wishes.
A man who shouts and who intimidates with his voice… puts his wife down, criticises every move that she makes and threatens her; is being emotionally abusive.
Financial abuse is the withholding of money, the husband decides to control his wife or partner’s spending unfairly and prevents her from accessing their accounts.
For free confidential advice (24 hours) call the Violence Against Women Helpline on 1800 200 526.
For details on White Ribbon Day events or where to buy a ribbon visit http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au
