1Examples of consequences of VAW

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 & Montenegro

• Women who have ever experienced violence by a partner have:

– Worse general health

– More symptoms of ill health such as pain, memory loss, dizziness in the past 4 weeks

– More signs of mental distress

– More suicidal thoughts and attempts

– More induced abortions and miscarriages

2

Partner violence increases risk of suicidal thoughts

20

24

1614

16

11

8

11

7 74

8

47

42

3835

33 32

2426

2221

15 15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60% never experienced violence

ever experienced physical or sexual violence, or both

3

Violent acts as a risk factor for ill health

An association between recent ill health and lifetime experiences of violence suggest that the negative consequences of violence can persist long after the violence has ended

4

5

Other outcomes related to violence

For women:

• injuries• own health• financial status• ability to work• ability to function• participate in society

For children:

• low birth-weight• emotional well-being• behavioural difficulties • problems at school• leave home

Percentage of women who report her children witnessed violent incidents, among women who reported physical violence

72 6962 61 59 58 57

5550 50

45 4441 39

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

pe

rce

nta

ge

6

Associations between physical partner violence and behavioural problems in children 5-12 years old.

Behavioural problem in children

6-12 yrs

Women reporting physical violence

AOR 95% CI

Frequent nightmares 1.5 1.4-1.7

Thumb sucking 1.4 1.2-1.7

Bed wetting 1.5 1.3-1.7

Extremely timid 1.4 1.2-1.6

Aggressive 1.6 1.4-1.8

Table shows odds ratios adjusted for number of children in same age group living in household, partnership status and educational level of respondent and site

7

Violence is hidden and brings shame

One-fifth to two-thirds of women had never told anyone about their partner’s violence prior to the WHO interview

If 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 Bangladesh

8

Silence and stigma

Many 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 Turkey

9

The majority of women never contact formal support services

• Between 55% and 95% of physically abused women had never sought help from any formal agency or person in a position of authority

• To the extent that women do reach out, they do so to family and friends, not formal agencies or the police

At 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 Thailand

10

Some of the barriers to talking or taking action for domestic violence victims

• Shame, embarrassment

• Fear for more violence

• Fear for her children

• Thinks it is normal/that he will change

• Thinks she will not be believed

• Economic dependence

• Family honor/not wanting to shame the family

• Lack of safe alternatives

• Lack of community/ family support

• Women are overwhelmed from physical and psychological trauma

11

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

Conclusions

• Domestic 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

14Photos: Henriette Jansen