INFORMATION ABOUT ABUSE
Women who have experienced violence in their lives say, in retrospect, that having the information sooner and having a better understanding of the issue of violence in all its depth and complexity would have greatly helped them. Women receive information about dealing with violent situations in various stages of a relationship. Even before they leave their violent partner, some of them have little or no knowledge of violence.
When women understand the issue of violence, they can move on to the next stage, when they believe that violence is not their fault. Access to information helps them to connect their experiences with those of many other women. Women who are victims of violence require information in order to better understand their situation and make the best decision for themselves and their children.
Women who have experienced violence in their lives say, in retrospect, that having the information sooner and having a better understanding of the issue of violence in all its depth and complexity would have greatly helped them. Women receive information about dealing with violent situations in various stages of a relationship. Even before they leave their violent partner, some of them have little or no knowledge of violence.
When women understand the issue of violence, they can move on to the next stage, when they believe that violence is not their fault. Access to information helps them to connect their experiences with those of many other women. Women who are victims of violence require information in order to better understand their situation and make the best decision for themselves and their children.
VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Violence against women is one of the world’s most serious forms of gender-based human rights violations.
Violence is not an individual issue of a certain group of women, but a problem of society as a whole. The historical imbalance of power and unequal status between men and women is both a cause and a consequence of violence against women.
Violence against women is defined as "any act of violence, based on gender inequality which results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm to the female victim, including threats of such actions, pressure or any deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life.” (UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 1993).
VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Violence against women is one of the world’s most serious forms of gender-based human rights violations.
Violence is not an individual issue of a certain group of women, but a problem of society as a whole. The historical imbalance of power and unequal status between men and women is both a cause and a consequence of violence against women.
Violence against women is defined as "any act of violence, based on gender inequality which results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm to the female victim, including threats of such actions, pressure or any deprivation of liberty, whether in public or private life.” (UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 1993).
VIOLENCE IN RELATIONSHIPS
PARTNER VIOLENCE
We perceive violence in relationships as gender-based violence of men against women, that occurs during a relationship or after separation and is based on a power imbalance between men and women in society and relationships.
Violence in relationships is not a problem unique to a particular group of women, and the root causes are not their characteristics, but rather the gender relations settings in society and the family. Violence in a relationship is not a conflict, an argument, a marital disagreement, etc.; these labels downplay the issue of partner violence.
A conflict or an argument is a situation in which there are two equal parties with different views on a problem or its solution. In the case of partner violence, it is the act or expression of one person in a position of power, control, and unequal standing in the relationship, suppressing free will and disrespecting the human rights of the other person.
Violence by the partner is not something, that “just happens”. Violence is both a decision and a choice. Responsibility for violence is not to be shared. We reject theoretical explanations and approaches that explicitly or implicitly place any blame for violence on the victim of violence. The person responsible for the abuse is its offender.
VIOLENCE IN RELATIONSHIPS
PARTNER VIOLENCE
We perceive violence in relationships as gender-based violence of men against women, that occurs during a relationship or after separation and is based on a power imbalance between men and women in society and relationships.
Violence in relationships is not a problem unique to a particular group of women, and the root causes are not their characteristics, but rather the gender relations settings in society and the family. Violence in a relationship is not a conflict, an argument, a marital disagreement, etc.; these labels downplay the issue of partner violence.
A conflict or an argument is a situation in which there are two equal parties with different views on a problem or its solution. In the case of partner violence, it is the act or expression of one person in a position of power, control, and unequal standing in the relationship, suppressing free will and disrespecting the human rights of the other person.
Violence by the partner is not something, that “just happens”. Violence is both a decision and a choice. Responsibility for violence is not to be shared. We reject theoretical explanations and approaches that explicitly or implicitly place any blame for violence on the victim of violence. The person responsible for the abuse is its offender.
TEST
Am I experiencing violence?
Violence doesn’t have to be in a physical form only. On the contrary, in many cases, no physical injuries or evidence remain. If you want to find out if you are experiencing any violence by your partner or husband, the questions in our test will help you find an answer.
IDENTIFYING VIOLENCE
FORMS OF VIOLENCE
Violence in relationships experienced by women can take various forms. It is not only that partner violence evolves over time, but it also increases in severity. The intensity of violence by a partner (or former partner) may fluctuate at different stages of the relationship.
VIOLENCE AFTER THE END OF A RELATIONSHIP
POST-SEPARATION VIOLENCE
Leaving an abusive partner may seem like the most obvious and easiest way to end a relationship. However, leaving is usually difficult for women and may not lead to increased safety. For many women, leaving an abusive partner is the riskiest phase of their lives.
THE SEVERITY AND PREVALENCE OF VIOLENCE
DYNAMICS OF VIOLENCE
Based on research and practice, we can identify three dominant models of violence dynamics in relationships - periodic, chaotic, and random. The dynamic that occurs in the majority of violent relationships is the accidental dynamic.
Perpetrators of violence
EVERY PERPETRATOR OF PARTNER VIOLENCE IS CONVINCED, THAT HE HAS THE RIGHT TO BE VIOLENT BECAUSE THE WOMAN DOES NOT MEET HIS EXPECTATIONS OF HOW A GOOD WOMAN, MOTHER, WIFE, OR PARTNER SHOULD BEHAVE. HE THEN ENFORCES THESE DEMANDS THROUGH THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE OR FORCE, WHICH HE CONSIDERS TO BE THE INFLICTION OF A FAIR PUNISHMENT ON A WOMAN WHO HAS OVERSTEPPED THE BOUNDARIES AND RULES HE HAS ESTABLISHED.
PARTNER VIOLENCE DOES NOT OCCUR AS A RESULT OF THE ABUSER'S LOSS OF CONTROL. THE OBVIOUS ABILITY OF THE ABUSER TO SELECT OBJECTS AND ENVIRONMENTS WHERE HE CAN APPLY HIS POWER AND CONTROL, CONFIRMS THE PURPOSE OF HIS ACTIONS AND FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS BEHAVIOR.
PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE NOT ONLY TRY TO PREVENT THEIR PARTNERS FROM CONFRONTING THEM WITH THEIR OWN BEHAVIOR BUT ALSO TO PREVENT WOMEN FROM PERCEIVING AND NAMING THE RELATIONSHIP AS VIOLENT.
LAWS AND DOCUMENTS
Legislation
Research Slovak and international documents and laws related to violence against women and children.
