- Few women decide to report the abuse in which they live
- Figures on abuse and violence against women around the world
There are often stories of violence that end in disgrace Of all these cases, most of the victims are women. And the most common is that the violence that is exercised towards them is by a man, frequently it is his own partner.
The figures are chilling. The global average estimates that 35% of women have suffered sexual violence from their partners or someone in their family. However, these figures increase considerably in specific regions.
Few women decide to report the abuse in which they live
The reasons why some women do not report their attackers are varied. In some countries, efforts have been made to legislate, classify, and toughen the punishment for assaults and murders against women, but even so, non-reporting and impunity prevail.
At a global level this is a worrying issue with figures that are rising, public policies are different in each region, despite the reasons why women in situations of violence do not report, are very similar in all regions of the world.
Figures on abuse and violence against women around the world
To fully understand the phenomenon, one must know the figures and the circumstances. Scholars and activists on the subject agree that the root of this problem is rooted in machismo and the patriarchal system that governs most of the world.
According to figures from UN Women, 70% have suffered physical or sexual violence from a sentimental partner, 137 women die daily around the world in the hands of their own partners or a relative (this includes minors), and three out of four victims of trafficking are girls and overall 51% of trafficked persons are women.
15 million women around the world have been forced to engage in some kind of sexual practice. 200 million women have suffered genital mutilation, most of them were subjected to this practice before reaching the age of 5.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and UN Women estimate that Latin America and the Caribbean are home to 14 of the 25 countries in the world where the most femicides are committed. And globally, the average is 2 prosecuted for every 100 cases in which it has been reported.
In Latin America in each country an average of 4 women die daily In Spain, from 2003 to 2018 almost 1000 women had been murdered . In Argentina this figure is similar but in a much shorter period from 2014 to 2018, while in Mexico in the same period there is a record of 2,560 femicides.
In most cases, when the murder has already occurred, it is discovered that there never existed an antecedent that could alert or prevent a fatal outcome. Faced with this situation, the question that arises is: Why do some battered women not report?
one. Lack of trust in judicial systems
For many years the judicial systems have failed to protect women who have been violated. The UN figures regarding the countries with the most cases coincide with weak, corrupt judicial systems or a lack of adequate legislation for cases of femicide.
When a woman approaches to file a complaint, it is common for the authorities to react with disbelief. The macho culture that permeates societies also affects the judicial systems and the people who work in them.
Because of this, when a victim comes to ask for protection and file a complaint for violence, the authorities and staff tend to discredit the situation and classify it as marital or relationship problems that must be resolved in private.
Activists committed to women victims of violence have raised their voices in reference to the lack of training of judges and staff in general. Awareness and training on the issue is required to work from a democratic and gender equality perspective, and leave behind macho practices and beliefs.
2. Fear
Fear is one of the most common reasons why women do not report abuse. Women who live in a situation of abuse and violence diminish their emotional capacities to face a situation of this type alone.
You have to understand that the situation of violence is being generated little by little. That is, in very few cases it arises suddenly and suddenly, and when it happens in this way, the mechanisms of violence and defense are different.
But when violence occurs by a family member or a partner, which is the most common form of violence, this usually happens gradually. The violent personality of the aggressor is not evident at the beginning of the relationship, but appears gradually.
In this mechanism that is generated over time, the aggressor gains strength while the victim is filled with fear. Threats about telling someone or making a complaint are common, and when faced with these threats, women tend to feel very fearful, leading to inaction.
3. Lack of support network
If the woman does not have a support network, it is even more difficult for her to dare to denounce. Along with fear and a lack of trust in authorities and institutions, a lack of support can inhibit the decision to file a complaint.
There are many cases in which the victim's family is unaware of the violence suffered by their relative. Either because she is not obvious or because the aggressor forces the woman not to hang out with her relatives and to stay away from them
The same can happen with friends or co-workers. However, there are organizations and groups that can provide this accompaniment to the victim and are normally free of charge and of citizen origin.
Statistics confirm that if a woman does not have a support network, be it family, friends or an organization or group, she is less likely to file a complaint and decide to speak out about it to the current situation.
4. Revictimization
The phenomenon of revictimization is another factor that inhibits the decision to report attacks. The handling that many media outlets give about these cases also reveals the macho base with which they are handled.
When some fatal news monopolizes the news, the public's opinions tend to be hurtful towards the victim more than towards the perpetrator. Comments like: "She asked for it", "Maybe she deserved it", "They did what they did to her for a reason"... are very common in this type of case.
Faced with this type of reaction, potential victims of a similar situation may retract from reporting or speaking about their particular situation. The fear of public ridicule, both massive and in their family environment, makes them change their minds regarding reporting.
When victims report, they run the risk of being involved in other types of accusations, which make them victims again. After suffering from a violent situation, they do not want to feel involved in another painful and stigmatizing situation.
5. Normalization of violence
Due to the macho culture that originates it, there are people who perceive certain violent attitudes as normal. As mentioned above, the offender's violent attitude does not usually arise suddenly.
It is said that there is an escalation in violence that occurs gradually. The first signs may be aggressive jokes, slapping, shoving, or jealousy. However, this type of situation is socially accepted.
That is, the first signs of manifestation of violence are not taken into account even by the victim, as they are considered normal in the way of relating as a couple. For example, jealousy and its manifestations are even thought of as something romantic and desirable.
For this reason, as violence increases, the victim may assume each attitude as normal, until it reaches the point where, in addition to being daily, it is perceived as part of the dynamics of the relationship and even the victim ends up believing that they deserve it.