The 7 Types Of Gender Violence (and Characteristics)
A woman arrives at the hospital due to a series of injuries A bruise on the eye, burns, scratches on the back, a fractured wrist, damage to the genital tract, a history of visits to the hospital for alleged falls… Although they can be due to very diverse causes, the combined presence of these factors raises suspicion of the existence of gender violence.
This type of violence is a problem that still remains in today’s society and has taken the lives of numerous people, murdered at the hands of their partner. But gender violence is not reduced to physical aggression. There are different types of gender violence which distorts and undermines a person’s situation because of their gender.
Gender violence (or sexist violence, according to other sources) is understood as any type of violence that is carried out by violating the physical, mental or relational well-being of a person due to their sex or gender identity. Aggression is intentionally used, whether through physical force or, with the purpose of causing harm, coercing, limiting or manipulating the person who is the target of violence.
This type of violence can have devastating effects on the victims On a physical level, serious injuries can occur that can lead to incapacitation, coma or even death. On a psychological level, it is common for people who suffer gender violence not to be able to report it, generally due to fear of possible repercussions for themselves or their loved ones, the presence of disbelief or the belief that they will not be supported.
It is also not uncommon for victims to feel guilty or responsible for the situation or to fear causing pain to other people (for example, in the presence of children). Even depending on the type of education received or the length of time that the victim has been manipulated, one may think that this is normal behavior and/or that they feel worthy of it.
Causes
Generally the aggressor acts motivated by the desire for power and domination, and is frequently influenced by gender stereotypes Generally, behind this there are feelings of insecurity and low self-esteem that are attempted to be overcome through the domination of those who the individual considers inferior or incapable of facing them.
It is also possible that there is an exaggerated self-esteem with narcissistic overtones that causes one to consider one’s own rights above those of others. In some cases, instrumental abuse directed at a specific objective may be found. Finally, the absence of empathy is a phenomenon and/or uncontrolled impulsivity can facilitate aggression.
Distinguishing types of attacks
When we talk about gender violence we usually think of situations in which attacks occur within a couple The most common situation of gender violence is that of a man who commits a series of continuous and systematic abuses against a woman because she is a woman, whom she considers inferior or tries to dominate.
This is why gender violence is frequently confused with sexist violence or violence against women. However, we must not forget that there are also men who suffer this type of violence from their partners. Furthermore, although it is not usually considered gender violence as it is not based on sex or sexual identity, the existence of intimate partner violence in same-sex couples must not be forgotten. That is why today, rather than gender violence, we should talk about intimate partner violence.
Types of gender violence
As indicated above, the concept of gender violence includes a wide variety of attitudes and actions that can harm the person from different dimensions. After all, there are many ways to harm a person.
Although not in all cases the person is attacked from all areas, Within gender violence we can find the following types of violence
1. Physical violence
The most visible and recognized as gender violence, Physical violence is considered any act in which physical harm is inflicted on the victim through direct aggression Said damage can be temporary or permanent.
This type of violence includes blows, wounds, fractures, scratches. Although they can sometimes be trivialized or considered to occur during an argument, pushing and shaking also fall within the category of physical violence. Physical incapacitation can occur due to the consequences of the attacks, and depending on the level of damage caused, it can even lead to death.
This type of violence is characterized because, although on a physical level there may not be aggression, the victim is humiliated, undervalued and psychologically attacked This attack can be direct and carried out actively in the form of insults and humiliation or carried out in a more passive way, devaluing the partner without them considering that they are suffering an attack.
Psychological violence includes the presence of humiliation, threats and coercion (in some cases using the threat of physical assault on the victim or relatives), contempt and devaluation. Also making the person feel helpless, forced to do certain actions and dependent on the aggressor, guilty of the abusive situation and deserving of punishment.
Because on many occasions direct aggressiveness is not perceived in the message, many victims are not aware of being mistreated and do not take action against the aggressor. It can be considered that in practically all cases of gender violence, regardless of the type and reason for it, there is psychological violence.
3. Sexual violence
Although in some way it could be considered within physical violence, Sexual violence refers specifically to those types of situations in which a person is forced or coerced to carry out activities of a sexual nature against their will, or in which sexuality is limited or imposed by another person.
It is not necessary that there be penetration or that the sexual act occur. It includes the presence of rape within the couple, forced prostitution, forced conception or abortion, genital mutilations, sexual harassment or unwanted touching, among others.
4. Economic violence
This type of violence is based on the reduction and deprivation of economic resources from the couple or their offspring as a measure of coercion, manipulation or with the intention of damaging their integrity. Also considered as such is the fact of forcing financial dependence on the aggressor, preventing the victim from accessing the labor market through threat, coercion or physical restriction.
5. Patrimonial violence
The usurpation or destruction of objects, goods and properties is considered patrimonial violence of the person who is the victim of violence with the intention of dominating him or her or causing psychological harm. In many ways, these assets are the fruit of decades of work, and destroying them is a way of showing that all those efforts have been of no use. However, it should be noted that this type of attack can also affect other people, especially neighbors.
Social violence is based on the limitation, control and induction of social isolation of the person The victim is separated from family and friends, depriving her of social support and distancing her from her usual environment. Sometimes the victim is put against his or her environment, causing either the victim or the environment to decide to disengage.
For example, attacks against the facade of the home are very characteristic of this type of violence, since they allow visible signs to be left around the world that the victim deserves to be attacked for everyone to see.
7. Vicarious violence
A large number of couples in which gender violence occurs have children On many occasions the aggressor decides to threaten, attack and even kill said children with the purpose of harming their partner or ex-partner.
This type of violence is called vicarious violence, which also includes the damage caused to minors by observing mistreatment between parents. The psychological impact is what is sought, through control, submission and attacks on people who are not directly involved in the core of the conflict.
Be careful: gender violence is not only in the couple
When we think about gender violence, the first thing we think about is the existence of abuse in couple situations. But gender violence is not specific to the area of the couple, but can occur in multiple areas without the need for the person who carries it out to be a spouse. Institutions, the family and society in general can also be places where situations of gender violence appear like the previous ones.
It is necessary to work to prevent and raise awareness among citizens, educating in different aspects such as tolerance of diversity, equal rights and opportunities and emotional education in order to avoid new situations of gender violence.
