WOMEN ABUSE

Woman abuse is the intentional and regular use of tactics to establish and
maintain power and control over the thoughts, feelings, beliefs and behaviors of
a woman. It occurs in all socio-economic, educational, and cultural
backgrounds. It is a misuse of power that manipulates the bonds of intimacy,
trust and dependency to make the victim vulnerable.

Domestic

Violence

and

Abuse

www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often
overlooked, excused, or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is
psychological, rather than physical.

Understanding domestic violence and abuse:

Domestic abuse, also known as spousal abuse, occurs when one person in an
intimate relationship or marriage tries to dominate and control the other person.
Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence.

Domestic violence and abuse are used for one purpose and one purpose only: to
gain and maintain total control over you. An abuser doesnt play fair. Abusers
use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear you down and keep you under
his thumb. Your abuser may also threaten you, hurt you, or hurt those around
you.
Domestic violence and abuse does not discriminate. It happens among
heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age
ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more
commonly victimized, men are also abusedespecially verbally and
emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is
that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether its coming from a man, a
woman, a teenager, or an older adult. You deserve to feel valued, respected, and
safe.

FORMS OF ABUSE:
Woman abuse can take many forms, including:
Physical abuse: slapping, hitting, punching, biting, and pulling hair,
burning, use of weapons.

Psychological and verbal abuse: threats, name calling, shouting, insults,

neglect & isolation, withholding love, intimidation, extreme jealousy,
threatening to commit suicide, stalking, controlling your time, what you
do, or how you look, not respecting privacy
Sexual abuse: Any forced sexual contact, forced pregnancy or abortion,
controlling information or access to birth control, pressure to perform
sexual acts with other people.
Financial abuse or exploitation: Withholding or controlling access to
money, where to work, and what you buy, stealing or taking away benefit
payments or personal money, preventing access to household financial
information.
Spiritual abuse: Putting down or attacking spiritual beliefs, denying
access to temple, church or mosque, forced participation in a cult.

 Workplace violence and harassment: Verbal, written or physical

harassment sexual or otherwise due to gender, race, sexual orientation
or disability.
The abuse of girls and women is endemic and growing at an alarming
rate. Rape, kidnapping, domestic abuse and so-called "honor killings" are at the
heart of a chilling statistic that jumps out of a new report by Human Rights
Watch: Between 50 percent and 90 percent girls and women are victims of
violence. Pakistan is the third most dangerous country for women in the world.
It cited the more than 1,000 women and girls murdered in "honor killings" every
year and reported that 90 percent of Pakistani women suffer from domestic
violence. Asma Jahangir, a Supreme Court lawyer and a prominent women's
rights activist said:
"The level of violence against women is increasing, and the degree of
violence is becoming more extreme"
Hina Jilani, also a Supreme Court lawyer, and Jahangir's sister said:
"Theres no concept of a single woman living on her own in Pakistan,"

Health effects of domestic violence

Violence experience might cause serious conditions such as injuries, fractures,
wounds, skeletal deformations, gastro-intestinal problems, abdominal injuries,
vaginal lacerations, forced abortions and chronic pain syndromes, sleeping
disorders, sexual dysfunction, genital infections, HIV-infection, post traumatic
stress disorders (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorders and serious depressive
conditions and also suicidal thoughts.

The Cycle of Violence

Domestic Violence and Abuse -

Helpguide.org
www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

 Abuse Your abusive partner lashes out with aggressive, belittling, or

violent behavior. The abuse is a power play designed to show you "who
is boss.
Guilt After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what
he's done. Hes more worried about the possibility of being caught and
facing consequences for his abusive behavior.
Excuses Your abuser rationalizes what he or she has done. The
person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for
the abusive behavioranything to avoid taking responsibility.
"Normal" behavior The abuser does everything he can to regain
control and keep the victim in the relationship. He may act as if nothing
has happened, or he may turn on the charm. This peaceful honeymoon
phase may give the victim hope that the abuser has really changed this
time.
Fantasy and planning Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing
you again. He spends a lot of time thinking about what youve done
wrong and how he'll make you pay. Then he makes a plan for turning
the fantasy of abuse into reality.

 Set-up Your abuser sets you up and puts his plan in motion, creating
a situation where he can justify abusing you. Your abusers apologies
and loving gestures in between the episodes of abuse can make it
difficult to leave. He may make you believe that you are the only
person who can help him, that things will be different this time, and
that he truly loves you. However, the dangers of staying are very real.

What Causes Domestic Violence?

Disagreement with their intimate partner
Protracted periods of unemployment
Financial issues
Desperation when partner threatens to leave
Anger escalation and low self-esteem
Humiliation stemming from problems at work or other perceived failures
Jealousy and envy
choice preferences
women's low educational levels
Low empowerment and autonomy of women
existing misconception about Islamic thoughts and traditional norms
misuse of women in the name of honor justifying honor killing
low socioeconomic levels and poverty
existence of unjust traditional dowry system in the society
the common beliefs in the inherent superiority of males ignoring the
women's autonomy
Alcoholic addiction.

Measures to prevent and control domestic violence

 Approach domestic violence as a human rights issue involving men and

women of all ages and socio-economic, racial, ethnic and religious
backgrounds.
Support a workplace environment safe from all forms of violence and have
policies in place that support victims in accessing information, services and
legal remedies.
If you suspect that someone close to you is being abused or has been
sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help. Call the National Domestic
Violence Hotline for 24 hour assistance.
Talk to your faith leaders about domestic violence. Discuss ways in which
your faith community can promote healthy relationships, provide support to
victims and their children, and send clear messages that domestic violence is
not acceptable.
If a relative, friend, classmate, colleague, or teammate is abusing his partner
-- or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general -- dont look
the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it.
Urge him to seek help. If you dont know what to do, consult a domestic
violence program. Dont remain silent.
Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes and make a
positive change where necessary.
Encourage young boys to be nurturing and young girls to be strong. Help
children develop knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that lead to healthy
relationships.
Foster collaboration among community groups working on violence
prevention. Help make the connections between youth violence, bullying,
child abuse and domestic violence so that knowledge, resources and
strategies are shared.
Be an ally to men and women who are working to end all forms of gender
violence. Support events and raise money for community-based domestic
violence and sexual assault programs.
Respect and promote respect for all people, regardless of race, gender,
religious affiliation, or sexual orientation. Do not tolerate discrimination,
violence, or degrading behaviors against anyone you perceive to be different
from yourself.
Model nonviolent, respectful behavior in your family. Call a domestic
violence or child abuse prevention program if you need help.
Recognize that teaching peace begins at home. Teach your children and
grandchildren to reject violence, especially in the face of peer pressure or
messages to the contrary in popular culture.

 Encourage training on how technology can aid victims of domestic violence

Cultivate a respectful attitude toward women in your family and at your
workplace. Avoid behaviors that demeanor control women
Ask you local government to collaborate with domestic violence programs to
conduct a safety audit of your community
Develop a womens safety campaign in your workplace, neighborhood,
school or house of worship. Build a consensus among your colleagues and
neighbors that abusive behavior and language is unacceptable.
Write to music producers, movie companies, Internet businesses, video game
producers, and TV stations to speak out about violence against women.
Ask that physicians and other health care professionals receive training about
domestic violence and follow the diagnostic and treatment guidelines about
domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse.

Recommendations:

There is a need of recognition at the national level of the issue. Though

government of Pakistan has considered this issue but, consistent followup is mandatory.
There should be enough educational programs in all societies and
cultures, both for women and men at the same levels.

 There should be enough opportunities of employments and participation

in political parties along with security and safety for women and the seat
allocation for recruitments of both genders should be considered on
equality grounds. More funds should be allocated to women's
development in the country.
Government should make it compulsory to incorporate the program in all
health care facilities of Pakistan for proper screening of all types of
domestic violence and abuse. Adequate emergency treatments with
rehabilitative measures should be provided. All health professionals
should be made aware of domestic violence, its factors, possible
treatment and moreover the preventive measures. Along with medical
facility, government also can have crisis centers for violated women in
the main health care centers like Rural Health Centers (RHC), Basic
Health Unites (BHU) and tertiary hospitals throughout the country.
Furthermore, specialized health care professionals should be introduced
in the crisis centers who could easily handle any case. All of the facilities
should be easily accessible to all women in any setting throughout the
country.
Awareness programs should be conducted for both women and men. It
should be done by using the resources like nurses, doctors and
psychologists, working under governmental and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs). This could easily be done either by direct or
indirect teaching. The direct methods would include one to one teaching,
counseling, or group based teaching. Indirect methods would involve the
use of media, pamphlets, role plays, drama and talk shows.
There should be religious definitions of the basic rights of women like
autonomy and freedom in Pakistan on federal levels and the government
needs to evaluate all of the basic rights of women. For this a central
committee can be made which should include religious leaders, Ulema,
and scholars who can consensually define the rights of women in the
lights of Islamic teaching and literature. But, for this the other ethnic and
minority religious groups should be considered when finalizing any
package for basic rights of women. Government should also ensure that
every citizen of the country is following the main themes defined by the
religious committee.

 Government should to make sure that women have enough access to

reach any political opportunity and there should be a training program
available for their capacity building on politics.
There is also a need of reforms in the police departments and judicial
processes which place constraints on women from accessing justice.
Women police should be trained to deal with women facing domestic
violence so that women could feel safe and protected. Indeed the presence
of a nurse or doctor in the police department team would facilitate a
pleasant environment for the sufferers.
Alcohol production, transport and drinking should be banned as Pakistan
is an Islamic country and in Islam alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Government can take help from social groups, religious leaders and even
they can strengthen their law and order situation to decrease alcohol and
other addictive material usage in the country.
Exclusive celebrations of marriages were banned in the country some
years ago and that worked very effectively through the country. Similarly
government can also ban weighty dowry systems in different cultures,
and fix certain amount in the lights of Islamic religious teachings which
should be followed in any culture and in any region of the country.
Government should develop recreational programs like family parks, and
other entertaining places where women along with their family can enjoy
and relax.

Conclusion
Domestic violence is prevalent in Pakistan at an alarming rate. Women are the
sufferers and are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse in their
home by partners, in-laws and in some circumstances by their brothers and

parents. The factors associated with domestic violence in Pakistan are loweconomical status of women, lack of awareness about women rights, lack of
education, falsified beliefs, imbalanced empowerment issues between males and
females, male dominant social structure and lack of support from the
government. Integrated supportive services, legal intervention and redress
should be made available in situations of domestic violence. Support and help
for women to rebuild and recover their lives after violence, should be a part of
the intervention strategy, including counseling, relocation, credit support and
employment. In order to prevent women from domestic violence and provide
them medical as well as judicial and legal support, new plans and interventional
maps should be made in the societies in collaboration with health team
members, religious and societal leaders, NGOs, police department and people
from other similar groups. This strategy implementation should be enforced.

Woman abuse is any use of psychological, physical or sexual force, actual or threatened, in an intimate relationsh
Intimate relationships include a current or former spouse, and an intimate, or dating partner. Violence is used to
intimidate, humiliate or frighten victims, or to make them feel powerless.

Men can also be abused, but the term 'woman abuse' recognizes that women are most often the
victims of abuse and men are most often the perpetrators.

www.domesticviolenceinfo.ca Home Domestic Violence

Cycle of Violence

Incident
Any type of abuse occurs (physical/sexual/emotional)

Tension Building

Abuser starts to get angr y

Abuse may begin

There is a break down of communication

Victim feels the need to keep the abuser calm

Tension becom es too much

Victim feels lik e they are 'walking on egg shells'

Making-Up

Abuser may apologize for abuse

Abuser may prom ise it will never happen again

Abuser may blame the victim for causing the abuse

Abuser may den y abuse took place or say it was not as bad as the victim claims

Calm

Abuser acts lik e the abuse never happened

Physical abuse may not be taking place

Promises made during 'making-up' may be met

Victim may hope that the abuse is over

Abuser may give gifts to victim

The cycle can happen hundreds of times in an abusive relationship. Each stage lasts a different
am ount of time in a relationship. The total cycle can take an ywhere from a few hours to a year or
more to complete.
It is important to rem ember that not all dom estic violence relationships fit the cycle. Often, as tim e
goes on, the 'making-up' and 'calm' stages disappea

www.domesticviolence.org/cycle-of-violence