International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women , an illustration stop violence against woman's

Non-violent life: Solidarity project by Latvian youngsters

Domestic violence is one of the most serious and widespread forms of violence against women and children. So exists in all member states of the Council of Europe and is present at all levels of society. Domestic violence most often

committed by men against former or current intimate partners, although it is recognized that violence is also perpetrated by women and that

occurs in same-sex relationships.

Domestic violence is often directed against young women and children who do not have sufficient physical and psychological skills

resources to defend themselves. Often victims of violence do not know where to turn for help and are afraid of their persecutors

revenge.

Violence against women and children, including domestic violence, are societal and gender imbalances the result.

It is a violation of human rights and a major obstacle to overcoming inequality between women and men.

Violence is used to exercise power and control over another individual. Domestic violence usually involves abusive and

coercive behavior such as physical, psychological or sexual abuse. This kind of violent behavior never

cannot be considered a series of unrelated events, as the actual physical abuse often spans months or years

the result of bullying and control.

Domestic violence causes serious damage to health, both physical and emotional, and can be fatal. In addition

for physical injuries, it creates fear, anxiety, and loss of self-confidence. Physical and sexual violence is

used to exacerbate feelings of vulnerability, lack of control over one’s body, and feelings of hopelessness and shame.So

as a result, it destroys the victim’s willpower and prevents him from being free and safe. Violence affects the lives of its victims

quality at all levels, and often severely affects both mental and physical health.

On the other hand, mental health is a very important part of everyone’s general health. A person is a whole – therefore, both physical and emotional health are interconnected and equally important. Mental and also physical health

a person’s ability to cope with difficulties and create an emotionally healthy atmosphere in his family is of great importance in preservation,

at work and in the environment.

Good emotional health indicates that a person feels, thinks and behaves fully. It is the ability to adequately respond to

successes as well as losses, with as little exposure to stress as possible. Also thoughts about yourself, your future and

indicates the state of emotional health for the planned purposes.

Mental health disorders are detected at the moment when a person has difficulty being the determinant of his life – appears

depression, various illnesses, including physical or various addictions, behavioral disorders. These disorders affects both the person and his loved ones and the society as a whole. Stable mental health is safe and on improvement

the basis of an oriented society.

Domestic violence must be understood in a wider social context, and society must become united in its fight against it.We want to find answers and inform the public, especially young people and women, about the following questions:

Human rights and violence – trends in the development of modern society
How to recognize violence?
What can be done to mitigate this?
Who to turn to in a moment of despair?
How to find the strength to defend yourself?
What are the types of violence and methods of combating it?
What is mental health and how is it related to violence, how to protect it?

As part of the solidarity project, the Cultural Society Alternative Reality 2022. plans to organize the following discussions:

Discussion: Human rights: Gender equality as one of the fundamental values of Europe.

Insight into history and today, analysis of the current situation, analysis of development trends of modern society,

open discussion about gender equality in Latvian society

Discussion cycle: “Domestic violence – types, causes, consequences, aggravating factors. Wheel of power and control”

1. Physical violence