When Gender Violence Becomes Subtle: Much More Than A Blow
Gender violence refers to physical, psychological, economic, sexual, and symbolic abuse that occur towards women for the simple fact of being a woman. This does not mean that there are no cases of violence by a woman towards a man, but due to the severity, intensity and frequency of violence against women, this category was constructed to put on the table the large number of cases of violence and deaths of women. that don’t stop happening.
However, in practice we usually pay attention basically to cases of physical abuse or murder linked to this type of violence. We left off the map other forms of gender violence that are subtle
Money and goods are used as a form of maintain control and power
Symbolic Violence
It consists of the naturalization of the role of women as weak and inferior. We can observe it in phrases, ideas, stereotypes prejudices that reproduce the inequality between men and women seen as inferiority.
Why do violent acts persist over time?
Surely you have heard situations (or perhaps it happened to you) where after committing a violent act in a couple, after hours, days or weeks, the relationship would seem to continue as if nothing had happened The violent person apologizes, the violated person forgives and an atmosphere of love, hope and tranquility reigns.
But as time goes by, strong arguments, tensions, fights begin again and even violence appears again. This is due to a repetitive mechanism with which gender violence is installed in the form of a circle or cycle.
What are the moments of this violent cycle?
The phases that we can frame in this cycle are the following.
1. Psychological attacks
Violence does not accompany the relationship from the beginning. Even the first physical abuse does not appear without first presenting traits of psychological violence The ground is prepared for the first blow. It can start with insults, manipulation, disqualification, pathological jealousy, isolation, control or indirect violence.
2. Tension and physical aggression
When the climate of tension is great and words and insults are no longer enough, the violent resorts to the irruption with the body, marking who is in charge, who has the power there. Pushing, punching, kicking, burning. The escalation of violence can lead to death.
There may be regret in the violent person for the act committed or a false repentance for your own benefit It is at that moment where he proceeds with the request for apologies, justifications, promises to never act like this again.
4. Forgiveness and hope: the honeymoon
Out of love, to keep the family “united”, to believe in promises, to be hopeful that there will really be changes, or out of fear or dependence, among other factors, the violated woman forgives.
5. Apparent peace: the cycle begins again
The climate of love and harmony prevails, little or nothing remains of the violent act. Everything is love, reconciliation, tenderness, illusion. This will be overcome when the tension once again takes over the violent and choose once again to download all his strength and his problems on that woman, once again a victim of gender violence.
A while will pass, the apologies, the “love” will return, until the cycle begins again.
What happens to the children of victims of gender violence?
The exposure of children as witnesses of violence against women has serious consequences on children, emotionally, behaviorally, evolutionary, cognitive, and bonding. Below we mention some of them.
Finally, perceived violence can be internalized and in many cases expressed in the form of antisocial behavior, misbehavior at school, delinquency, or substance use. In summary, gender violence does not only affect women. It extends to children, who suffer short- and long-term consequences.
