FAMILY VIOLENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Gender-Based Violence as a Violation of Women’s Human Rights Gender-based violence in general – and violence against women by their partners in particular – is a historical phenomenon in many cultures, with no limits of age, social class, race, ideology or religion.

Several decades ago, the various manifestations of this type of violence began to be understood as a violation of human rights, based on the principle of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

International Conferences and Instruments The UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979). The World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace (Nairobi, 1985). The UN General Assembly’s proclamation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to reinforce and supplement the process that began in 1979 (Vienna, 1993).

Thus gender-based violence was configured as a complex issue whose existence is based fundamentally on the inequality between men and women – an inequality that is culturally constructed, and which is legitimized and reproduced by social structures.

Types of Gender-Based Violence From emotional violence (insults, threats) to physical violence (pushing, hitting, gun and knife attacks, murder). From sexual harassment to sexual exploitation and trafficking of girls and women. From genital mutilation to slavery. From mass rapes and sexual tortures during wartime to the rape of refugee and displaced girls and women.

Family Violence The most common and perverse manifestation of violence against women is that which is inflicted in their most intimate environments, in surroundings that are supposed to welcome, cultivate, develop and bring out the best in human beings – the family.

Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women “The term ‘violence against women’ means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” (UN General Assembly, 1993)

Progress at the International Level The Organization of American States (OAS), through the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), drafted the Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Sanction and Eradicate Violence against Women – “Convention of Belém do Pará.” States that ratified this 1994 Convention made an international agreement to sanction violence against women, to protect victims, and to promote the conditions necessary for its eradication, as a way to continue making progress and to supplement other international instruments.

Chile: 1994 Enactment of the Family Violence Act, following four years of Parliamentary proceedings. A strong message from the state regarding punishment of family violence. A clear indication that this is an issue of profound interest to the state, as it gives family violence an eminently social character.

Violence Against Women in the Family Sphere Today there is a broader awareness that all women, regardless of their age, race, religion or social condition, are vulnerable or exposed to violence and abuses of power by their partners.

Effects of Family Violence on Women’s Lives Life with a violent partner can have physical, social, emotional and psychological effects on women, in both the short and long term. This results in lower self-esteem, loss of confidence in themselves and others, isolation, depression, and suicidal tendencies.

Family Violence and its Impact on Children Women who are victims of violence and who suffer effects on their health and physical, mental and emotional condition will have more difficulty giving their children the appropriate attention, affection and care. Witnessing violence leaves children very scared, distressed and anxious about their own safety and that of their mother and siblings. Around 60% of children who live with an abused mother are or will be directly abused by their mother’s aggressor.

Children who experience family violence also develop coping strategies Children who experience family violence also develop coping strategies. One of the most common strategies is skipping school, which always exposes them to other risks. Other coping strategies include alcohol and drug use, involvement in street fights, and self-destructive behaviors. Studies show that children who are abused are more likely to suffer psychiatric disorders in adulthood, and reproduce and/or become victims of violent behavior.

Some Consequences of Family Violence Family violence is a problem that affects all the members of the family, and whose impact is harmful to society as a whole. In many countries, domestic violence is considered a public health problem that mainly affects women and their children. According to the World Bank, in established market economies, gender-based violence is responsible for one out of every five healthy days of life lost to women of reproductive age. Gender-based violence causes more deaths and disabilities among women between the ages of 15 and 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and even war.

Final Remarks Family violence is part of an extensive range of violent acts that occur in the private and public spheres, committed mainly by men, and whose principal victims are women and children. Violence against women, particularly at the hands of their partners, is a serious human rights violation, and an obstacle to the development of democratic societies.

Family violence limits or hinders women’s full exercise of their rights. Therefore, addressing this problem will always require policies and actions to which states are actively committed. Family violence will always have a devastating effect on the lives of children, since it is an experience of brutal isolation for them, and asking for help can be a difficult, solitary exercise. The issue of family violence must be addressed from a gender-based perspective, especially with children and starting at a very early age – working with them to build new gender references that are equitable and democratic.