Violence Against Women: Resources and What you Can Do

Sexual assault and sexual harassment cases are anything but rare. We teach our girls respectable behavior, but rarely do the same with our boys. In fact, men in our society are often taught to be strong and learn early on that- dominating women is a sign of strength.

This leads to several women facing different types of sexual harassment in their relationships and at work. Many women also unfortunately experience physical violence that sometimes they don’t make it from.

These harassments have a long-term impact on the sufferer in the form of depression, anxiety disorders, sleepless nights, numbness and other mental and physical health issues.

Women- almost one in three- across the global face violence (stats exclusive of physically abused victims) and they are usually perpetrated by current or former husbands or intimate partners. Shockingly, according to a crime survey conducted by BBC , these attacks have swollen since the beginning of the pandemic. There have been cases where physical violence escalated and resulted in the death of the victim, and the offenders were members of their families. So let’s keep the notion of STRANGER DANGER aside for now and take a look at the people we let into our lives and our homes.

So why are we seeing an increase in sexual harassment cases? The answer pre-dominantly is SILENCE, on part of the victim. Only if we have the courage to speak  against injustice, the power to stand up for ourselves, and the strength to ask for help, can we save ourselves from such violence and save our neighbors from the same.

Types of Violence that Women Face:

A very insignificant per-cent of women who experience physical violence approach law enforcement. Most common assault that women face are domestic violence and the most common domestic violence incidents they face are:

• kicks, slaps, punches,
• shoving to break an argument and,
• strangulation.

Most assaults, even verbal assaults such as yelling, often go unreported.

Girls and women hesitate in approaching local authorities or police to seek help for a number of reasons; some of them include:

• embarrassment or humiliation,
• victim thinks it’s too trivial or it’s their private matter,
• fear of more violence,
• lack of trust in the police, etc.

If you’re fearful of calling your local police, then don’t worry, there are other organizations that offer support and help to women facing abuse. You can call if you’re facing these threats yourself or if you’re a concerned neighbor. We still recommend that alongside using these resources listed below, that you also call the emergency police line. We recommend this because although you may get help from organizations helping women, your offender can always seek you out unless he has been held accountable in the criminal justice system.

Here are some of the resources you may reach out to:

• Crisis line formerly known as Crisis Clinic:

In whichever part of the country you may reside, work or play; 24-hour Crisis line will connect you or your loved ones to the appropriate services and provide professional consultation.

• Lifewire:

One of the main reasons why victims of domestic violence step down or give in to the abuser is their dependency on them. Be it the fear of becoming shelter less, fear of being unaccepted by the society or insecurity for her children. Lifewire is the savior! It not only eradicates the mentioned fears but also provides them mental stability and gives back the lost hope, courage and independence to the survivor and its family.

• Council on American-Islamic Relations( CAIR ):

Harassment may take any form including racial or religious discrimination and defamation. This organization advocates civil rights of all Americans regardless of faith. It strives to empower American Muslims, promotes diversity and freedom of religion.

With a little courage, every victim can change the harmful beliefs at the core. What was wrongfully learned can be unlearned. It is high time that we as women understand our own worth and take back control of our life, safety, and empowerment.  

Fauzia Lala is the Head Coach of Defense Ninjas and women's safety & empowerment expert based in Seattle. You can follow Defense Ninjas on Instagram and YouTube.