The Big Picture: DV Attitudes Around the World

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

DV Attitudes Around the World

Domestic violence is the most common form of violence against women internationally. In studying child protection around the world, UNICEF collected data from 1999-2006 regarding whether women in 67 countries (not including the US) felt that domestic violence was ever acceptable. On average, half of girls and women aged 15–49 responded that a husband or partner is justified in beating his wife under certain circumstances.

Somehow we're not surprised. Women are raised in the same cultures as men, and if men feel justified in using violence against their partners, is it really a stretch for women to also believe that men are justified in using violence? Though the US wasn't included in this survey, things don't look much different here.

You can view data by country here.

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Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through physical, sexual, emotional, and/or financial abuse. Both men and women are capable of misusing power and perpetrating violence, and male victims are often just as afraid to call the police. More resources for female survivors exist, however, because overwhelmingly women and children suffer the most severe consequences (medical, legal, social, and financial) and therefore require the most intensive interventions.

Many women choose to stay in abusive relationships because they do not want their relationship to end...just the violence. Women often remain in, or return to, abusive relationships because their partners threaten to harm them and their loved ones if they attempt to leave. Commonly, women choose to leave when they become convinced that their life is at risk, or that their children are in danger.

Domestic violence is not just a "family matter". The violence will not stop until men and women come together with a common attitude of non-tolerance. We must speak out for those who may not feel safe speaking up, and our children must learn through our words and example that violence is never justified.