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
Stories of victims of violence, exchange of opinions of invited specialists
Discussion: Domestic violence – types, causes, consequences: continued
2. Psychological and emotional violence
Stories of victims of violence, exchange of opinions of invited specialists
Discussion: Domestic violence – types, causes, consequences: continued
3. Sexual violence
Stories of victims of violence, exchange of opinions of invited specialists
Discussion: Domestic violence – types, causes, consequences: continued
4. Economic violence
Stories of victims of violence, exchange of opinions of invited specialists
Discussion: Abuse, neglect, gaslighting, narcissistic mental disorders and their recognition
Stories of victims of violence, exchange of opinions of invited specialists
- “Why does he do that?” Landy Bancroft book discussion evening. Myths and facts about violence.
- Discussion with the employees of the crisis center “First steps to freedom”, methods of reducing violence
Discussion: Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence and combating (Istanbul Convention). Latvia: for or against it?
Specialist opinions, discussion, open discussion
- Discussion: Methods of combating violence in Latvia and the world.
Analysis, presentations, brainstorming, proposals for further activities
Co-financed by the European Union. This publication reflects only the views and opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the European Union, the European Commission or the National Agency (Youth International Programs Agency), which are not responsible for any use of the information contained therein.
