We often hear stories of violence that end in disgrace.. Of all these cases, most of the victims are women. And most commonly, the violence is perpetrated against them by a man, often by their own partner.
The figures are chilling. The global average estimates that 35% of women have suffered sexual violence at the hands of a partner or family member. However, these figures increase considerably in specific regions.
- Related article: “41 powerful phrases against gender violence”.
Few women decide to denounce the abuse in which they live
The reasons why some women do not report their aggressors are varied. In some countries, efforts have been made to legislate, criminalize and toughen punishments for assaults and murders against women, but even so, non-reporting and impunity prevail.
Globally, this is a worrying issue with figures that are on the rise, public policies are different in each region, however the reasons why women in situations of violence do not report are very similar in all regions of the world.
- More information: “The 15 signs of psychological abuse in a relationship”.
Figures on abuse and violence against women around the world.
To understand the phenomenon comprehensively, it is necessary to know the figures and the circumstances. Scholars and activists agree that the root of this problem is rooted in machismo and the patriarchal system that governs most of the world.
According to UN Women figures 70% have suffered physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, 137 women die every day around the world.According to UN Women figures, 137 women die every day around the world at the hands of their own partners or family members (including minors), and three out of every four victims of trafficking are girls and 51% of trafficked persons are women.
15 million women worldwide have been forced to engage in some form of sexual practice. 200 million women have been subjected to genital mutilation, most of them before the age of 5.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and UN Women estimate that Latin America and the Caribbean are 14 of the 25 countries in the world where most femicides are committed. Globally, the average is 2 prosecuted for every 100 cases reported.
In Latin America, an average of 4 women die every day in each country.. In Spain, from 2003 to 2018 almost 1000 murdered women had been registered. In Argentina this figure is similar but in a much shorter period from 2014 to 2018, while in Mexico in the same period there is a record of 2,560 femicides.
In most cases, when the murder has already occurred, it is discovered that there was never a precedent that could alert or prevent a fatal outcome. Given this situation, the question that arises is: Why do some battered women not report?
- More data: “The 7 types of gender-based violence, their definition and characteristics”.
1. Lack of confidence in the judicial systems
For many years, judicial systems have failed to protect women who have been victims of violence. The UN figures on the countries with the most cases coincide with weak, corrupt judicial systems or lack of adequate legislation for cases of femicide.
When a woman comes forward to file a complaint, it is common that the reaction of the authorities is one of disbelief.. The machista culture that permeates societies also affects the judicial system and the people who work in it.
Because of this, when a victim comes to ask for protection and file a complaint of violence, the authorities and personnel tend to discredit the situation and describe it as marital or relationship problems that should be resolved in private.
Activists committed to women victims of violence have raised their voices in reference to the lack of training of judges and personnel in general. Sensitization and training is required to work from a democratic and gender equity perspective, and to leave behind macho practices and beliefs.
2. Fear
Fear is one of the most common reasons why women do not report abuse.. Women who live in a situation of abuse and violence gradually reduce their emotional capacity to face such a situation on their own.
It must be understood that the situation of violence is generated little by little. That is to say, in very few cases it arises suddenly and suddenly, and when it happens in this way, the mechanisms of violence and defense are different.
But when violence is perpetrated by a family member or partner, which is the most common form of violence, it usually occurs gradually. The violent personality of the aggressor is not evident at the beginning of the relationship, but appears gradually.
In this mechanism that is generated over time, the aggressor gains strength while the victim is filled with fear. Threats to tell someone or to denounce are common, and the woman, in the face of these threats, usually feels very fearful to the point of inaction.
3. Lack of support network
If the woman does not have a support network, it is even more difficult for her to dare to report the assault.. Together with fear and lack of trust in the authorities and institutions, lack of support can inhibit the decision to file a complaint.
In many cases, the victim’s family is unaware of the violence suffered by their family member. Either because it is not obvious or because the aggressor forces the woman to stay away from her family members.
The same can happen with friends or co-workers. However, there are organizations and collectives that can provide this accompaniment to the victim and they are usually free of charge and of citizen origin.
Statistics confirm that if a woman does not have a support network, whether family, friends or an organization or group, she is less likely to file a complaint and less likely to speak out about the situation she is experiencing.
4. Revictimization
The phenomenon of revictimization is another factor that inhibits the decision to report assaults.. The way in which many media outlets handle these cases also reveals the machista basis on which they operate.
When a fatal news story makes the news, the public’s opinions tend to be hurtful towards the victim rather than the perpetrator. Comments such as: “She asked for it”, “Maybe she deserved it”, “They did what they did to her for a reason”… are very common in this type of cases.
In the face of this type of reaction, possible victims of a similar situation may withdraw from denouncing or talking about their particular situation. The fear of public scorn, both massively and in their family environment, makes them change their mind about reporting.
When victims do report, they run the risk of being involved in other types of accusations, which make them victims again. After suffering through a violent situation, they do not want to be involved in another painful and stigmatizing situation.
5. Normalization of violence
Due to the macho culture that gives rise to it, there are people who perceive certain violent attitudes as normal.. As mentioned above, the violent attitude of the victimizer does not usually arise suddenly.
It is said that there is a gradual escalation of violence. The first signs may be aggressive jokes, hitting, pushing, shoving or jealousy. However, these types of situations are socially accepted.
That is to say, the first signs of violence are not even taken into account by the victim, as they are considered normal in the way we relate to each other as a couple. For example, jealousy and its manifestations are even thought of as something romantic and desirable.
For this reason, as the violence escalates, the victim may assume each attitude as normal, until it reaches the point where it is perceived as part of the dynamics of the relationship, and even the victim ends up believing that he or she deserves it.