Slide 1What Counts as Violence Against WomenThe Incidence of Violence Against WomenEffects of Race, Class, Nation, Sexuality, and DisabilityResponses of the Police and Medical and Legal SystemsExplanations of Violence Against WomenBlaming the VictimEnding Violence Against WomenWomen’s Rights as Human RightsViolence Against WomenViolence Against WomenChapter 6 OverviewChapter 6 OverviewWhat Counts as Violence Against WomenWhat Counts as Violence Against WomenHassles on the street, in parks, on public transit or in cafes and barsSexist comments from bosses or coworkersCompromises to maintain intimate relationships: going along with sex even if it’s not wanted, tolerating “joking” put-downs, threats, and inconsiderate behaviorDifferent women may define violence differentlyResearchers and writers use terms such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, battering and domestic violence; different definitions and terminology lead to discrepancies in reportingAccording to the United Nations Declaration on Violence Against Women (December 20, 1993): any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life.Hassles on the street, in parks, on public transit or in cafes and barsSexist comments from bosses or coworkersCompromises to maintain intimate relationships: going along with sex even if it’s not wanted, tolerating “joking” put-downs, threats, and inconsiderate behaviorDifferent women may define violence differentlyResearchers and writers use terms such as sexual assault, sexual abuse, battering and domestic violence; different definitions and terminology lead to discrepancies in reportingAccording to the United Nations Declaration on Violence Against Women (December 20, 1993): any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty whether occurring in public or private life.The Incidence of Violence Against WomenThe Incidence of Violence Against WomenIntimate Partner ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceNearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. reported experiencing violence from a former [significant other]Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partnerAbuse-related injuries included: bruises, cuts, burns and scalds, concussions, broken bones, penetrating injuries from knives, miscarriages, permanent injuries such as damage to joints, partial loss of hearing or vision, and physical disfigurementEmotional and psychological dimensions of Intimate partner violence are hard to measureCriticism, intimidation, surveillance, threats and force are tactics used to establish and maintain controlNearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. reported experiencing violence from a former [significant other]Approximately 1 in 3 adolescent girls in the U.S. is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partnerAbuse-related injuries included: bruises, cuts, burns and scalds, concussions, broken bones, penetrating injuries from knives, miscarriages, permanent injuries such as damage to joints, partial loss of hearing or vision, and physical disfigurementEmotional and psychological dimensions of Intimate partner violence are hard to measureCriticism, intimidation, surveillance, threats and force are tactics used to establish and maintain controlRape and Sexual AssaultRape and Sexual AssaultThe legal definition of rape turns on force and nonconsentConsent to sexual intercourse is not meaningful if given under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication; it is a “yes” that is freely given when the option of “no” is presentLike intimate partner violence, rape is not always reportedRape is forced sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral)Those most at risk for rape/sexual assault: 20-24 y/o then 16-19 y/o90% of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape know their assailantThe legal definition of rape turns on force and nonconsentConsent to sexual intercourse is not meaningful if given under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication; it is a “yes” that is freely given when the option of “no” is presentLike intimate partner violence, rape is not always reportedRape is forced sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral)Those most at risk for rape/sexual assault: 20-24 y/o then 16-19 y/o90% of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape know their assailantEffects of Race, Class, Nation, Sexuality, and Disability Effects of Race, Class, Nation, Sexuality, and Disability ResearchResearchWomen who have extremely low incomes experience domestic violence more than women who are wealthyBlack/African American women aged (20-24) experience more intimate violence than white women of the same ageEstimates are limited by the fact that many cases are not reportedChildren and adolescents, prostituted women, homeless women, women with mental disabilities, institutionalized women, very poor women, and women in neighborhoods with high crime rates are rarely included in surveysWomen and girls with physical and mental disabilities are particularly vulnerable to physical, emotional and sexual abuseWomen who have extremely low incomes experience domestic violence more than women who are wealthyBlack/African American women aged (20-24) experience more intimate violence than white women of the same ageEstimates are limited by the fact that many cases are not reportedChildren and adolescents, prostituted women, homeless women, women with mental disabilities, institutionalized women, very poor women, and women in neighborhoods with high crime rates are rarely included in surveysWomen and girls with physical and mental disabilities are particularly vulnerable to physical, emotional and sexual abuseReportingReportingAlthough violence between intimate partners is illegal in the U.S., it is seriously underreported because of confusion, shame, self-blame, loyalty to the abuser, lack of information, or fearWomen of color, poor women, and prostituted women often have very negative experiences with
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