Other Forms of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) involves acts of harm inflicted on individuals or groups due to societal expectations of gender roles (masculinity/femininity). Structural, gender-based power imbalances put certain groups at higher risk for various forms of violence. In addition to domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence, other forms of gender-based violence include, but are not limited to, forced marriage, teen dating violence, reproductive coercion, abuse later in life, and harmful practices rooted in culture.

Other Forms of Gender-Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) involves acts of harm inflicted on individuals or groups due to societal expectations of gender roles (masculinity/femininity). Structural, gender-based power imbalances put certain groups at higher risk for various forms of violence. In addition to domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence, other forms of gender-based violence include, but are not limited to, forced marriage, teen dating violence, reproductive coercion, abuse later in life, and harmful practices rooted in culture.

Abuse Later in Life

Abuse Later in Life

Abuse later in life involves the intentional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of adults aged 50 and older by someone they trust, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver. Abusers often use physical and psychological abuse and isolation to maintain power and control. Most older victims of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse are women. Unfortunately, many services for domestic and sexual assault victims are geared toward younger women and their children, leaving older victims underserved.

Forced Marriage

Forced Marriage

Forced marriages happen when two people get married without one or both agreeing to it. Even if they initially agree, it becomes forced if they are later made to stay in the marriage against their will. Forced marriages can lead to several negative consequences, such as deprioritizing education, continuing cycles of poverty, increased risks during childbirth, higher infant mortality rates, exposure to sexual violence, and vulnerability to STIs. It is considered a violation of human rights.

Reproductive Coercion

Reproductive Coercion

Reproductive coercion is when someone interferes with another person's ability to make their own decisions about reproductive health. This can involve pressuring someone to become pregnant, sabotaging birth control, or controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. It is closely linked to intimate partner violence; women in abusive relationships are more likely to experience reproductive coercion and unintended pregnancies. Reproductive coercion is a significant public health concern.

Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence involves physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking of anyone aged 12 to 18 in a current or past romantic relationship. About 1 in 3 teens in the United States experience this type of violence. The harmful effects are long-lasting: victims are more likely to face depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, eating disorders, poor school performance, pregnancy, STIs, and future victimization.

Abuse Later in Life

Abuse later in life involves the intentional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation of adults aged 50 and older by someone they trust, such as a spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver. Abusers often use physical and psychological abuse and isolation to maintain power and control. Most older victims of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse are women. Unfortunately, many services for domestic and sexual assault victims are geared toward younger women and their children, leaving older victims underserved.

Forced Marriage

Forced marriages happen when two people get married without one or both agreeing to it. Even if they initially agree, it becomes forced if they are later made to stay in the marriage against their will. Forced marriages can lead to several negative consequences, such as deprioritizing education, continuing cycles of poverty, increased risks during childbirth, higher infant mortality rates, exposure to sexual violence, and vulnerability to STIs. It is considered a violation of human rights.

Reproductive Coercion

Reproductive coercion is when someone interferes with another person's ability to make their own decisions about reproductive health. This can involve pressuring someone to become pregnant, sabotaging birth control, or controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. It is closely linked to intimate partner violence; women in abusive relationships are more likely to experience reproductive coercion and unintended pregnancies. Reproductive coercion is a significant public health concern.

Teen Dating Violence

Teen dating violence involves physical, psychological, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse, harassment, or stalking of anyone aged 12 to 18 in a current or past romantic relationship. About 1 in 3 teens in the United States experience this type of violence. The harmful effects are long-lasting: victims are more likely to face depression, substance abuse, suicide attempts, eating disorders, poor school performance, pregnancy, STIs, and future victimization.

Harmful Practices Rooted in Culture

Harmful practices rooted in culture are customs that violate human rights and have serious consequences for women and girls, usually stemming from social norms that reinforce outdated gender roles. These GBV practices are often justified by tradition, culture, religion, or superstition, and are frequently carried out without the consent of the girl or woman involved. Examples include:

  • Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child. This practice is often driven by factors such as poverty, cultural traditions, and gender inequality. It can have severe consequences for the children involved, including limited access to education, increased risk of domestic violence, and adverse health and reproductive effects from early pregnancies.
  • Female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons.
  • Honor killing is the murder of a female family member by male family members due to the perpetrator(s)’ belief that the victim has brought shame on the family.
  • Sex-selective abortion is the practice of terminating a pregnancy based upon the predicted sex of the infant, typically a female fetus.
  • Widow inheritance forces a widow to marry a male relative of her deceased husband.

Harmful Practices Rooted in Culture

Harmful practices rooted in culture are customs that violate human rights and have serious consequences for women and girls, usually stemming from social norms that reinforce outdated gender roles. These GBV practices are often justified by tradition, culture, religion, or superstition, and are frequently carried out without the consent of the girl or woman involved. Examples include:

 

  • Child marriage refers to any formal marriage or informal union between a child under the age of 18 and an adult or another child. This practice is often driven by factors such as poverty, cultural traditions, and gender inequality. It can have severe consequences for the children involved, including limited access to education, increased risk of domestic violence, and adverse health and reproductive effects from early pregnancies.

  • Female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C) involves the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons.

  • Honor killing is the murder of a female family member by male family members due to the perpetrator(s)’ belief that the victim has brought shame on the family.

  • Sex-selective abortion is the practice of terminating a pregnancy based upon the predicted sex of the infant, typically a female fetus.

  • Widow inheritance forces a widow to marry a male relative of her deceased husband.

Antonio’s Story

“I came to understand there is life after trauma. I was in a maze and no matter how hard I tried, I was stuck. But there is hope. I may never return to who I was before everything happened. I have to say "goodbye" to some people I know, some place I call home, and some identities I call myself. But there is hope. I am looking forward to meeting the new me.”

Antonio’s Story

“I came to understand there is life after trauma. I was in a maze and no matter how hard I tried, I was stuck. But there is hope. I may never return to who I was before everything happened. I have to say "goodbye" to some people I know, some place I call home, and some identities I call myself. But there is hope. I am looking forward to meeting the new me.”

You are not alone. Womankind is here to help.

We specialize in serving Asian survivors of gender-based violence, but what we offer is valuable to all. Our team of compassionate advocates are highly trained to help survivors build a path to healing. When you are ready, please contact our helpline or visit a community office in Brooklyn or Queens.

You are not alone. Womankind is here to help.

We specialize in serving Asian survivors of gender-based violence, but what we offer is valuable to all. Our team of compassionate advocates are highly trained to help survivors build a path to healing. When you are ready, please contact our helpline or visit a community office in Brooklyn or Queens.

Take Action

Whether you are a survivor or a supporter, you can be a part of Womankind’s vision to create a future where we Rise Above Violence and our communities can innovate towards collective well-being, restoration, and social justice. Here are 4 ways:

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Stay Connected with Womankind!

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Womankind (formerly New York Asian Women's Center), 42 Broadway, Suite 1836, New York, NY, 10004, https://www.iamwomankind.org. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact