Friday, December 7, 2012

Intimate Partner Violence

When one hears of violence against women many may think solely that it involves such things as physical abuse such as bruses or broken bones, and others may think sexual abuse such as rape. In fact violence against women can take the shape of many different act. Guruge, Roche, and Catallo (2012) describe violence against women as a global phenomenon that can be in the form of physical, sexual, and psychological acts of control, threat, aggression, abuse, and assault. This type of violence is demonstrated through acts such as female infanticide, female child abuse, incest, rape, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence (IPV), and abuse and neglect of our senior women. These horrible acts are experienced by women from people such as close and distant family members, neighbors, and my men who hold a position of power.

Lets take a closer look into IPV or intimate partner violence. IPV is defined as a physical, sexual, emotional and/or financial abuse carried out by an intimate partner as stated in Vol 2. Issue 6 of the BMJ Open. I would think that this form of abuse is very difficult on women let alone an immigrant women. If you can imagine yourself as a women who is perhaps leaving her home, family, friends, and all her familiar surroundings to accompany her intimate partner to another country. She has no support around her, and perhaps barely speaks the local language. Dealing with the transition of a completely new world is hard enough to adjust to, but to also deal with abuse from the person she has made all these life changes for seems rather unfair and not to mention cruel.

Women world wide are experiencing this same type of abuse. When comparing immigrant women to canadian born, the levels of abuse does vary but in all areas, between cultural groups, types of abuse and levels of abuse. There have been no studies determining that immigrant women receive more or less abuse from their intimate partners then Canadian born women. Although women who are living in an institution or some form of temporary accommodation seem to be predominantly susceptible to this form of abuse by men who are in a power position or by their intimate partner being the ones placing them here, therefore abusing them through isolation.

This form a treatment towards women has to come to an end. Women are supposed to be considered an equal in todays society and yet still we still suffer through abuse and inequality. There are many organization that are fighting against these issues such as Because I am a GirlAct to End, and YWCA Rose Campaign.




-Denise





References

- Guruge, S., Roche, B., & Catallo, C., (2012). Violence against Women: An Exploration of the Physical and Mental Health Trends among Immigrant and Refugee women in Canada. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Nursing and Research Practice, 1-15.

- Du Monte, J., Forte, T., (2012). An Exploratory Study on the consequences and contextual factors of intimate partner violence among immigrant and Canadian-born women. BMJ Open access medical research, 2:e001728.
doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-001728.

- Image retrieved from Irishhealth.com

- Act to End: http://www.jwicanada.com/

Because I am a Girl: http://becauseiamagirl.ca/page.aspx?pid=3816

- YWCA Rose Campaign: http://ywcacanada.ca/en/pages/rose/about

6 comments:

  1. It saddens me that many women around the world have to experience this type of abuse and treatment. When a women is in these situations for a long times she begins to experience learned helplessness. These women get so used to their environment that they are blind to any opportunities that may arise for them to get out or get help. They feel as though that is their life, and that is all it will ever be...Enjoyed your post!

    Meagan (LGBT)

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  2. We hear so much about women abuse in Canada. But as you have stated this worldwide problem and very disturbing. It is also unsettling that this problem still exists in society today.

    With increasing awareness of this issue hopefully one day this abuse will be a thing of the past. Women will be equal partners with their mate and not a door mat.

    Jen M

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  3. I really liked this post, I found it very interesting and informative. In the first part of the blog when it states that most people when they think of the word abuse they think of physical and sexual - this is very true. Those are the first 2 words that come to my head when I think of abuse. I never really took the moment to think about how hard it must be to move to a different country. I don't like change so I couldn't imagine how they would feel. Then once you add the abuse it just makes everything that much worse. These women are now stuck in an abusive atmosphere that they can't really get out because they don't have anyone which is so sad and upsetting. I feel that since women were so belittled for such a long time that now they feel they are not capable of standing up for themselves or going for help. As a women I feel that we are equal and we are just as strong as anyone else in the world. Really great post!!

    By: Hunter

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  4. Its a common social problem that happens in countries around the world. I hope with the continued support services for women in abusive relationships that can build the strength and courage to get away. Leave the cycle of violence and raise our children in non-violent homes. Great blog topic.
    Thanks Allison

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  5. When we think about abuse, we hardly think about intimate partner abuse, this post was very informative and brought light to something that isn't discussed. I found your example to be profound. I couldn't imagine how it would feel to be in that situation, and I would hope no one would ever have to but the reality is that it is an issue. Bringing more awareness is a good way to start taking action.

    Alexandra

    ReplyDelete
  6. If you find yourself maintaining a distance from social gathering, office party, or even with your own friends and families, there may be a fear of being judge or underlying feelings of inadequacy.
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