Gender Based Violence

Erin Vlamis- Court Advocate Manager

Typically, when people hear the phrase “gender-based violence” they automatically assume that is exclusive to women and girls, however, that is simply not the case. Gender-based violence is violence that is directed at an individual based on their biological sex or gender identity and is an issue that people all over the world face. Gender-based violence knows no bounds and can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and psychological. Due to the many ways that this can show up in people’s lives, it can include behaviors like threats, coercion, economic or educational deprivation, and can be done in both private and public settings

Gender-based violence is largely under-reported due to the lack of resources and support systems that may be accessible. One of the most important things regarding gender-based violence is that it can happen    to anyone at any time, regardless of demographics, geographical location, socio-economic status, sexuality, or gender identity. Gender-based violence includes women and girls, men and boys, and sexual and gender minorities, which shows up due to the systemic gender inequality that tends to stifle voices of those that have experienced gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence shows up in many forms, so it is important to remember that it is any act of violence that is directly related to someone’s gender. Specific examples of gender-based violence are things like street harassment, unwanted physical touch, outing a person or threatening to out a person, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and much more. To prevent gender-based violence everyone must engage in conversations that are inclusive to all who may be experiencing gender-based violence so there are more allies to work towards ending gender-based violence in all forms.

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