On the 4th May 2023 I took part in the Pro Youth seminar about honor related violence. While this topic is interesting, important and not widely known or understood, a dissertation published in 2020 from Tampere University came to my mind. It’s key point is that Finland is one of the most violent places in Europe for woman. Domestic violence is the reason for that. In an attempt to reach people who are by it, without even knowing it, I have very briefly explained, given examples and linked pages with more information about domestic violence.

I will start with the categories that domestic violence falls under and then continue on with domestic violence in particular.

Gender-based violence refers to harmful actions towards a person or group of people based on their gender. 

Violence against women and girls is any act of gender-based violence resulting or likely to result in harm or suffering to woman. Examples can be found here: https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/11/1106322

One form of violence against woman is domestic violence.
Domestic violence, violence committed by an intimate partner can be put into different categories:

Economical violence includes forced financial dependability or pressure. As an example, it can manifest itself as someone not contributing to expenses, stopping you from getting an education and therefore becoming financially independent, preventing you from using your own resources such as bank accounts or using your resources for themselves. These can be used to control you or lead to humiliation. For more information see here: https://theconversation.com/tackling-economic-abuse-of-women-must-be-part-of-our-domestic-violence-response-48376

Psychological violence involves threats, forced isolation and mind-games. It is often verbal with for example threats of physical harm or infidelity or can be manipulative behaviour to make you do what the abuser wants for example making you stay at home and slowly isolating you from other people. More detailed information here: https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/psychological-abuse-definition-signs-and-symptoms

Emotional violence is closely linked to psychological violence in some aspects. Emotional violence uses someone’s emotions against them by lowering their self-esteem and their sense of ability to thereby control the person. Examples of this are gaslighting, name-calling and isolation from the relationship through withholding affection or the silent treatment. Other examples and information here: https://www.verywellmind.com/identify-and-cope-with-emotional-abuse-4156673

Physical violence is the most well-known form of domestic violence. It includes committed or attempted physical harm. Throwing objects at someone or denying a hospital visit is just as much physical violence as a bunch or a kick to ones stomach for example. More detailed information here: https://coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/physical-violence

Sexual violence means forcing someone to take part in sexual act without their consent. See here for the story of a survivor: https://www.rainn.org/survivor-stories/tarhatas-story

If you feel as though you are or might be experiencing domestic violence contact a shelter or domestic violence hotline for support. For Finland, calling Nollalinja is an option (https://nollalinja.fi) or check out this Link to find a shelter near you (https://thl.fi/fi/palvelut-ja-asiointi/valtion-sosiaali-ja-terveydenhuollon-erityispalvelut/turvakotipalvelut/turvakodit/turvakotien-yhteystiedot). 

Links:

UN Woman. no date. Types of violence against women and girls. Accessed 23.5.23. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/faqs/types-of-violence

WHO. 2021.  Violence against women. Accessed 23.5.23. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women

United Nations. 2021. Five stories of strength and survival. Accessed 23.5.23. https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/11/1106322

Natalier, Kristin. 2015. Tackling economic abuse of women must be part of our domestic violence response. Accessed 23.5.23. https://theconversation.com/tackling-economic-abuse-of-women-must-be-part-of-our-domestic-violence-response-48376

Tracy, Natasha. 2021. Psychological Abuse: Definition, Signs and Symptoms. Accessed 23.5.23. https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/emotional-psychological-abuse/psychological-abuse-definition-signs-and-symptoms

Gordon, Sherri. 2022. What Is Emotional Abuse?. Accessed 23.5.23. https://www.verywellmind.com/identify-and-cope-with-emotional-abuse-4156673

Council of Europe. No date. Physical violence. Accessed23.5.23. https://coe.int/en/web/gender-matters/physical-violence

Rainn. No date. Tarhata’s Story. Accessed 23.5.23. https://www.rainn.org/survivor-stories/tarhatas-story

Nollalinja. no date. Etusivu. Accessed 23.5.23. https://nollalinja.fi 

Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos. 2023. Turvakotien yhteystiedo. Accessed 23.5.23. https://thl.fi/fi/palvelut-ja-asiointi/valtion-sosiaali-ja-terveydenhuollon-erityispalvelut/turvakotipalvelut/turvakodit/turvakotien-yhteystiedot

Written by: Milli Kitola, Social Services Student doing a placement at INY.

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