According to the UN definition of “Domestic violence”
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
The current MIGEPROF domestic violence statistics state that 46% of ever-married women and 18% of ever-married men have experienced spousal, physical, sexual, or emotional violence. Although not as widespread, violence against men exists in Rwanda, and male victims should not be ignored.
Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, it does not discriminate. It happens within heterosexual relationships and in homosexual partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more often victimized, men also experience abuse. Especially verbal and emotional.
On 29th November 2017, WHO statement said that men are more likely to perpetrate violence if they have low education, a history of child maltreatment, exposure to domestic violence against their mothers, harmful use of alcohol, unequal gender norms including attitudes of accepting violence, and a sense of entitlement over women.
Domestic abuse often escalates from threats and verbal assault to violence. While physical injury occurs as the most obvious danger, the emotional and psychological consequences of domestic violence are also severe. The victim keeps thinking that life is a mix of good times and bad ones, love and hope along with manipulation, intimidation, and fear. They lack knowledge of their right of access to safety.
Lack of means to support themselves financially, they lack supportive friends and family, so when they think of leaving, they think that they have nowhere to go. To be homeless may be their only option if they leave.
Domestic violence deserves greater attention because not only who we think are victims are affected by this domestic violence but the whole society. In one way or another, each of us experienced domestic violence at least once in our lives, and the people who think that domestic violence happens to those who are married only are wrong. Domestic violence can happen to anyone and if nothing is done to stop it, it’ll affect the upbringing of many children, there will be more deaths, mental health disorders, and more suicide attempts.
Domestic violence is real and it has to stop.
Authored by Rachel Niyonshuti