Today we enter into the 16 Days Campaign.
The 16 Days Campaign is an international campaign against domestic abuse and violence. This year’s theme is “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World” and more specifically the worldwide effort of the next 16 days will be activism against gender-based violence and militarism.
It runs from November 25, 2013 to December 10, 2013, and the significance of these two dates are as follows: November 25 is the UN International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women and December 10 is the International Human Rights Day.
My personal contribution to this effort will focus mostly on domestic abuse and violence against women, as I myself am an abuse and rape survivor. I do recognize that domestic violence is also perpetrated against men and boys, and this fact will be highlighted in some of my writings as well.
To begin, I will provide some basic definitions of abuse. In order to effect change on an individual and societal level, we all must have a clear understanding of what abuse is and how it affects those involved, and we all must do our part to initiate and foster healthy, loving relationships in the lives of those around us.
I gleaned some of this information from the National Institute of Justice, and you can go directly to their site for further information, at http://www.nij.gov/nij/topics/crime/intimate-partner-violence/welcome.htm
Thank you for taking the time to educate yourself about domestic abuse, or as it is now called, intimate partner violence.
Some Helpful Definitions
Intimate Partner Violence: AKA domestic violence, domestic abuse, spousal abuse. Physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former intimate partner or spouse. It can occur among heterosexual and same-sex couples. It effects all parts of the victim’s life, including health (immediate and long-term), family dynamics and the welfare of any children involved, and community and societal connectedness.
Physical Violence: The intentional use of physical force (shoving, choking, shaking, slapping, punching, burning, or the use of weapons, restraints, or one’s own strength against another person) with the potential for causing death, disability, injury, or physical harm.
Sexual Violence: Sexual abuse is any contact or threat of contact of a sexual nature in which the victim is forced to participate in a sexually related activity that is unwanted, unsafe, or degrading. Sexual abuse can and does happen even in the marriage bed. This includes (1) the use of physical force to compel a person to engage in a sexual act unwillingly, whether or not the act is completed. (2) An attempted or completed sexual act involving a person who, because of intimidation or pressure, is unable to understand the nature or condition of the act, decline participation, or communicate unwillingness to engage in the act. (3) Abusive sexual contact.
Threats of Physical or Sexual Violence: Communication of the intent to cause death, disability, injury, or physical harm through the use of words, gestures, or weapons.
Psychological/Emotional Violence: Traumatization of the victim by acts, threats of acts, or coercive tactics (humiliation, controlling what the victim can and cannot do, withholding information, isolating the victim from friends and family, denying access to money or other basic resources). In most cases, emotional violence has been preceded by or is simultaneous with acts or threats of physical or sexual violence.
Stalking: Harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as sending the victim unwanted presents, following or laying in wait for the victim, damaging or threatening to damage the victim’s property, appearing at a victim’s home or place of business, defaming the victim’s character or spreading rumors, or harassing the victim via the Internet by posting personal information.
My prayer for you today and for the next sixteen days is that your mind and your heart will be open to understanding and solving this very serious problem.
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