Types of violence against women
Many women do not realize the various types of physical and psychological abuse they can fall victim to. Violence against women can take many forms and can occur during marriage, or while dating, be it in a heterosexual or homosexual relationship.
Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, or psychological and occurs all around the world to women of all ages. It can happen in families of all races, cultures, religion, and income levels. The abuse can manifest itself in deprivation of freedom, reinforced by aggressive beatings, sometimes so violent the victim may need emergency hospitalization, and in some cases the vicious abuse may even end in death.
Physical abuse is the easiest to recognize because of cuts, bruises or broken bones. Psychological or emotional assault, such as threats, insults and public humiliation can destroy a woman’s self-worth, and her desire for independence. This form of abuse is harder to detect, and women affected by this kind of violence are more likely to stay in the relationship, because they are convinced they are worthless, and no longer can live without their partner. They firmly believe that nobody else would be interested in them.
If a woman is forced against her will into any kind of sexual activity, including touching, vaginal, anal or oral penetration it is classified as sexual assault. The risks of a woman being sexually assaulted by someone familiar are, in this case, higher than being attacked by a stranger.
Often unrecognized are control and isolation. This tactic comes into play when someone tries to control all aspects of a woman’s life by isolating her from friends, loved ones and the outside world in general. This may also be part of a bigger scheme. In that case the woman will not be allowed to sustain employment, or have a bank account, and the lack of funds or financial abuse will make her dependent on her partner, and will keep her exactly where he wants her, at home.
Not every act of violence or abuse comes from within a relationship. Every day women are stalked and raped, usuallyby someone they know, sometimes by complete strangers. It is a humiliating experience and not every victim is willing to come forward and admit what happened to her. This makes all published rape and assault statistics, and surveys inaccurate, and the actual victim ratio is in reality, unfortunately, way higher.