Do you feel safe and happy at home? What are these marks of bruises for? Has the abuser got worsened or does it happen more often? These are some of the questions that a woman who is victimized is asked for. Is it for which a woman is made for? When I close my eyes to go to sleep, all I can see is the rape. I feel as though it is happening to me over and over. Why me? Can’t I take a warm breath in fresh air? I also want to live my life as I wish to. Weeping and silently crying every night, a victim wonders what was her mistake that she has to face all these circumstances? Is it because she is a woman? Is it because her husband is not human enough? Ever asked a woman about her feelings on this issue, nothing but just tears flow out of her eyes, lacking words to express her pain.
Violence against women is a pervasive wide-reaching problem violating the rights of women. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a foremost issue that is serious but preventable. It is an array of behaviour in any relationship used to uphold authority and control over an intimate spouse which can be physical, sexual or psychological. According to WHO (2012), physical violence occurs when an individual attempts to hurt a partner by beating, kicking, or any type of bodily force. Sexual violence includes forced sexual intercourse and other forms of sexual coercion. Psychological violence involves trauma to the victim causes by acts, threats of acts or coercive tactics.
According to García-Moreno, Pallitto, Devries, Stockl, Watts & Abrahams (2013), almost one third (30%) of all women who have been in a relationship have experienced physical and sexual violence by their intimate partner. In some regions, 38% of women have experienced intimate partner violence. According to Ali, Asad, Morgren & Krantz (2011), a study in urban Karachi of Pakistan was done where among 759 women, 56.3% and 57.6% reported past year experience to physical violence, 53.4% and 54.5% experienced sexual violence and 81.8% and 83.6% psychological. A study from Iran of 2400 married women found that 15% suffered from physical abuse by their husbands in the previous year, 42% sexual abuse and 82% psychological abuse. A study from eastern India of 1718 married women found that 16% were exposed to physical violence, 25% to sexual violence while 52% suffered psychological abuse in their lifetime. Approximately 29% of women in the U.S. have experienced rape, physical violence and stalking by an intimate partner and reported at least one measured impact related to these or other forms of violence in that relationship.
A case of a 28 years old lady was reported in the news channel who lived in an extended family along with 3 children. She lost her 4th baby as she was victimized by her husband during pregnancy. She belonged to a male dominant society. She was married with a destitute, unemployed man, was mistreated, spanked, beaten many times aggressively and kicked harshly every night by her vicious drunken husband during her period of pregnancy. She used to be forcefully pushed down on the floor that had lead into physical, emotional, psychological and sexual disabilities. She was always treated as if she was an animal. All this was witnessed by her children that permit them to show aggressive attitude towards their mother. Her husband also had an extramarital affair and was HIV positive due to which her wife became a victim of HIV that caused her death.
Another case study of a 15 year old girl named Jenny who has been having a difficult time at home. Her Dad is short tempered and often gets angry and in Jenny’s words “sometimes he just flips. You’ll never know why”. Jenny doesn’t like this violence. About 5 months ago she met Aryan, a 16 year old boy, who plays in her school’s football team and they have been dating ever since. Aryan started off by being an ideal boyfriend and belonged to very high socio-economic status. They spent as much time together. One Saturday morning Jenny forgot her phone at home when going shopping with her Mom. When she went home, she had more than 50 missed phone calls and unlimited texts from Aryan. She immediately called him apologizing but he was constantly shouting. When she rushed over his place Aryan then slapped her and said “This is so you never forget again”. He then grabbed her and forced to do sex with him as a punishment. She didn’t agree with that so he hit her and forcefully put off her clothes and had sex. Afterwards all seemed to have calmed down. Jenny thought of how much her face hurt. The intensity and frequency of Aryan’s anger has increased. Until 3 weeks ago when she told Aryan that she is 2 months pregnant Aryan started shouting at her and asking whose baby that was, and used his belt to beat her up. She ran away from Aryan’s place and went back home. She had not told anyone at home about her violent relationship with Aryan. However, at this time she broke down in tears and told her mother about what had happen. On not getting support and acceptance by her mother, she attempted suicide.
Thousands of women perhaps more, who can’t reach behind justice door, many stay silent, just like us, the others are treated as enemies. Where is their dignity? Where is their voice? Is it the only importance that a woman carries in the eyes of others? Obviously not. There are many circumstances that provoke men to treat their women in a way that isn’t acceptable.
Numerous factors contribute to violence including social, economic and cultural factors. In relation with the case studies mentioned above, these factors are highly accountable for partner violence. Heavy alcohol consumption that is five or more drinks per day increases potential risks for physical and sexual violence. Alcohol is an aggravating factor that reduces self-control and forces one to start violence. Besides, most of the violence occurs due to lack of basic education that results in poverty. Capaldi, Knoble, Shortt & Kim (2012) states that many of the studies suggest that unemployment and low socio-economic status of abuser or victim are considered stronger and more robust demographic risk factors for IPV than education level. This unemployment causes financial frustration and becomes a leading economic factor for IPV. In addition, we live in a male-dominated society where it is believed that a man has a right to assert power over a woman and is considered socially superior. It is thought as a cultural norm and viewed as normal behavior. It is considered as a private matter and usually a permissible reaction to misbehavior with wife, although it is agreed as being against Islamic teachings.
Partner violence leaves greater impact on women and impairs her physical, emotional, psychological and reproductive well-being. Fractures, broken bones, bruises, lacerations, abrasions, sight and hearing damage, head and neck injury, HTN, STIs, joint diseases can interrupt in physical health. Additionally, it may lead to miscarriages, delayed prenatal care, pre-term delivery, gynecological disorders and low birth weight babies; one may adopt negative heath behavior like unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, trading sex for food, money and other items, drinking alcohol, illicit drug use, affecting one’s own reproductive health. According to CDC (2013), studies have shown that the more severe the violence, the stronger its association to negative health behaviors by victims. For a woman, one’s body image is imperative but if it is disrupted, may affect psychologically causing suicidal behaviour, self-mutilation, fear of intimacy, replaying assault in the mind, anxiety, depression, inability to trust others, low self-esteem, emotional detachment, lack of sense of security and loss of hope. In relation to the case study, it can be inferred that she was humiliated every time, as a consequence she had miscarriage, became a victim of HIV, affected her physical, emotional and reproductive wellbeing and ultimately died. According to García-Moreno, Pallitto, Devries, Stockl, Watts &Abrahams (2013), women who have experienced partner violence have higher rates of several essential health problems than those who haven’t experienced partner violence. They have 16% greater odds of having a low birth weight baby. Moreover, they are more than twice as likely to have an induced abortion and experience depression.
Physical violence leaves greater impact on children in terms of physical assault, psychological abuse and involvement in antisocial activities. Even when children are not the immediate targets of violence in the home, they can be harmed by witnessing its occurrence. Children who live in these conditions can suffer abrupt and permanent physical harm, even death. WHO (2012) states that they are less likely to be immunized and are at greater risk of dying before the expected age. These circumstances encompass them in teenage prostitution and sexual crimes causing harm to their reproductive health. As it is depicted in the scenario that the girl belonged to a male dominant society, was always beaten by her husband that was often witnessed and imitated by her children. Additionally, exposure to family violence during childhood can lead to undying changes in learning, behaviour and physiologic aspects. Moreover, exposure to domestic violence is allied with psychological abuse and childhood problems like aggression, low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. These issues may become a leading factor for children in running away from home, taking alcohol to overcome their stress, delinquency, stealing things form people, conduct disorders and lastly when nothing goes right, then to attempt suicide.
Intimate partner violence is documented as a major health issue and social problem occurring worldly nowadays. Sometimes victim make themselves isolated just to prevent stigma.
At an individual level, nurse as a counsellor should properly counsel the couples, increase awareness about proper screening of females by conducting sessions, posters or campaigns. Nurse should also be aware and recognize the strengths that victimized women use while addressing their health problems and partner violence. In addition, women may not use the term “abuse” therefore, nurse should be aware of words that suggest cruelty is happening or something wrong is going on. Many a times, it’s stated that her partner gets angry easily that’s a clue she might be abused by her husband. The victim might ease with the word of choice used and thus disclose the extent of abuser.
At a community level, nurse as an educator, should identify the root cause of partner violence and take measures accordingly. In a study by Ali, Asad, Morgren & Krantz (2011), WHO prepared a questioner and community midwives, interviewed 759 married women. Various departments like community health department at Aga Khan University, social welfare and health. Pakistan women lawyer association and nutrition department played a major role in conducting that survey. They identified reasons for partner violence and did intervention accordingly. Like if partner violence is due to illiteracy, they started educational sessions that actually helped them in reducing violence. Nurse as a collaborator, should follow this strategy as it is worthy enough to take measures in collaboration with other departments.
Furthermore, mass media contribution at society level is essential to create a debate on gender discrimination practices because studies have suggested that societies with stronger beliefs of male dominance are more associated with intimate partner violence. Besides, involvement of men in development of programs should be designed to change male behavior. This would help in promoting healthy relationships. Researchers suggest that women who take part in community activities, have more power and respect, less likely to be abused as compare to those who makes them busy in all household work. Therefore, it is important to embolden women’s empowerment and improve their status in society.
Nothing can be achieved up to the mark in spite of support of the government. We need to understand that government exists to protect us from each other. Therefore, the role of government can play a major part against intimate partner violence. They should create a climate of non-tolerance of intimate partner violence by health information campaigns to inform women of their rights, the law and how the services can help them. Inclusive legislation on gender equality, intimate partner violence should be done. They should train and monitor the police and unlawful justice system to make sure that legislation is adequately enforced. They should raise awareness through media especially through educational dramas. Besides, they should portray positive role modeling of women in the media and measure to decrease the objectification of women in society. Moreover, they should support the researches and allocate funds for supporting medical researches into development against violence and assessment of interventions in all sectors.
In conclusion, intimate partner violence is increased due to multiple factors of social, economic and cultural aspects. Moreover, how a woman survives under violence that lead her to physical, psychological and sexual abuse. Therefore, above mentioned recommendations should be followed by working as an educator, collaborator and counselor. Moreover, mass media can play a vital role in enhancing awareness.
Who should be blamed when a leaf falls from a tree? Is it the wind that blew it away? Or is it the tree that let it go? Or is it the leaf that grew weak? Life unfolds a lot of misinterpretations and misbeliefs every day, every instant. Therefore, it is up to us to solve it, leave it or live with it.
Novelty condoms. Many couples like to experiment with colored, flavored or glow-in-the-dark condoms, but not all of these offer the same protection as a standard condom and are intended for entertainment purposes only. It is important to read the package label before relying on novelty items.