1 in 3 Women Will Experience Violence from a Partner

With the rise of the #MeToo movement and ever-increasing allegations of sexual harassment and/or misconduct from powerful men in the workplace, the focus of women in relation to their bodies and autonomy has never been more in the spotlight. Meanwhile, European countries have been under fire for what has been seen as violations against women's rights in legislature proceedings. Then the shocking murder of Sarah Everard in the UK reignited many discussions about safety for women, unveiling the unsaid "codes" of how women often need to navigate the world around them. Never before have there been so many instances where women have risen to be talking points, not because of triumphs or glass ceilings being shattered—but because of the dangers they face in day-to-day life.

The most frightening thing about these matters is that the women often face the most threat from those who are supposed to love and care for them. Domestic violence statistics alone show that women face higher rates of psychological, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse from their partners. Further, the very nature of victim-blaming often asks, "Why did she stay if her partner was so abusive to her?" The mental and emotional tolls of prolonged abuse (of any kind) are often rarely taken into account by an outsider looking in at the situation. Elements such as financial resources, safety and well-being of children in the home, and potential lack of support can be things dangling over the heads of abuse victims and keeping them locked in fear and stasis.

Why are women so often the victims, especially from members of their own households? Research calls back to societal and institutional strains from things like gender roles, which often place men as the aggressors and women as the ones to take any pressures thrown at them. Basically, society as a whole has a tendency to raise both men and women to act in certain ways that attribute to how the two sexes interact with each other on a regular basis. If a man grows up seeing and hearing from his father (or any man in his life) that women are worthless, then that attitude will likely imprint unless there is some kind of interference to stop that mindset from taking hold. But people are not the only progenitors in these ways of thinking: media also can leave its own brand on how women and men are "supposed to be."

What can be done? Organizations exist to help be the intermediary for educational efforts (as well as prevention and support), and people in general can start by being accountable for how they react to individual situations with seeing women mistreated in the public sphere. There are many ways to help end violence against women with efforts such as volunteering, donating, or even just becoming an activist for the cause.

Why did I write this article? I have seen just a few instances of women being harassed in public (it sometimes comes with the territory of working retail), and every time after I always asked myself, "Could I have done more in that situation? Did I do the right thing?" And then I wonder about the women who had no one to vouch for them because they were scared and isolated. Not everyone is so lucky to have a stranger intervene or even have someone to call in a time of crisis. And I worry about those women, the nameless faces who are undergoing private turmoil that I hope I myself, as a woman, will never have to know.

What can you do to help the women in your life? Listen. Ask questions (when appropriate). Have an open mind. And be empathetic above all else. You never know whose life you may impact for the better.

Did you like this article? I have a few others over on my profile page, but who knows: you may come for the articles but stay for the (many) poems. Thank you for the support!