According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, about 4.8 million women are victims of physical assault and rape, a form of Gender-based Violence in the United States. Gender violence is a pervasive problem that disproportionately affects women and girls and includes physical, emotional, and psychological abuse. Gender-based violence is rooted in power imbalances between men and women, perpetuated by cultural norms and practices that support men’s dominance and privilege. Despite the efforts of advocacy organizations, policymakers, and government agencies, gender-based violence continues to be a widespread issue in the United States. Due to an increasement in gender violence attributed to several causes and manifest in the form of sexual, psychological, and physical violence, various strategies need to be employed to address it.
Forms of gender violence in the US
Women are frequently the victims of sexual assault, a form of gender-based violence. Research shows that 1 in 3 women are victims of sexual assault in the United States (World Health Organization, 2021). This type of violence includes any unwanted sexual such rape, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, or any other form of non-consensual sexual activity. Sexual violence can have a significant and long-lasting impact on survivors and their families, friends, and communities. Moreover, survivors of sexual violence often experience stress disorder and depression. Additionally, survivors often experience blame and stigma, which can further compound the trauma they have experienced. It is essential to take action to prevent sexual violence and support those affected.
Psychological violence is another form of gender-based violence in the United States. Psychological violence is a type of abuse that an abuser often uses to gain control over their partner. It is a form of psychological manipulation involving intimidation, threats, humiliation, and other forms of emotional abuse. Psychological violence can include verbal insults, name-calling, and threatening behaviors. It is often used to make the victim feel powerless and to make them feel helpless and scared. Psychological violence can cause great distress, fear, and emotional pain, leading to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It can also lead to physical health problems and can cause long-term damage to relationships.
Moreover, physical violence is another form of gender violence in the US. Statistics show that out of 4 women, 1 is a sufferer of physical abuse, and 1 out of 7 men is a victim of physical abuse (NCADV, n.d). Physical violence includes physical assault and abuse, such as hitting, punching, slapping, choking, and other forms of physical violence on women. This type of violence often occurs in intimate relationships and can have lasting consequences on victims, including physical and mental trauma. Physical gender violence can also include rape. It is vital to take action to eradicate physical violence.
Increasement of gender violence in the US
Gender violence is increasing in the United States and other parts of the world. One in three women, according to the World Health Organization, may have experienced physical or sexual abuse in their life (World Health Organization, 2021). These figures are alarming and demonstrate that gender violence is increasing worldwide. Governments, organizations, and individuals must address this issue, as it affects the well-being of individuals, families, and communities.
Factors contributing to the occurrence of gender violence
Several factors facilitate increasement in gender violence. These factors include unequal power dynamics in relationships, gender norms and stereotypes, poverty, and certain cultural practices. Unequal power dynamics in relationships give one partner the ability to control and manipulate the other, often leading to gender-based violence. In addition, gender norms and stereotypes, such as men being viewed as dominant and women being viewed as submissive, can also lead to men believing they have the right to exert power and control over women.
Poverty and certain cultural practices are among the factors contributing to gender violence. Poverty is a significant factor in gender violence, as those living in poverty often cannot access resources or support that could help protect them from violence. Additionally, certain cultural practices, such as gender inequality, can contribute to the prevalence of gender violence. These cultural practices often lead to unequal power dynamics between men and women, which can lead to gender violence. It is essential to recognize the various factors that contribute to gender violence so that we can work to create more equitable and safe environments for all individuals.
Strategies to address gender violence
Gender violence is an issue that must be addressed to create a safe and equitable society for everyone. Several strategies can be used to reduce gender-based violence. Firstly, it is important to increase awareness and education about gender violence; this can be done through campaigns in schools and universities and public service announcements. Secondly, it is important to ensure that victims of gender violence are provided with adequate support and resources, such as access to medical care, counseling, legal services, and safe housing. Thirdly, it is essential to ensure that perpetrators of gender violence are held accountable for their actions by providing adequate punishments for offenders and ensuring that perpetrators cannot re-offend. Finally, it is essential to ensure that gender violence is not seen as a social norm. This can be achieved through a shift in the culture, with society no longer tolerating or excusing gender-based violence. By implementing these strategies, we can ensure that gender-based violence is no longer seen as an acceptable part of society.
In conclusion, there is an increasement in gender violence in the US, which manifests in various forms, such as sexual assault and psychological and physical violence. Several factors facilitate the rise of gender violence, which includes poverty, cultural practices, gender norms, and unequal power dynamics in relationships. To cube gender violence, strategies such as increasing awareness and education about gender violence and punishment of perpetrators of violence should be implemented.
References
World Health Organization. (2021). Addressing violence against women in health and multisectoral policies: a global status report. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/350245/9789240040458-eng.pdf?sequence=1
NCADV: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Nation’s Leading Grassroots Voice on Domestic Violence. (n.d.). https://ncadv.org/STATISTICS
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