We often hear the phrases “gender-based violence” and “domestic violence” used to describe abuse, but what do these words actually mean? According to the NY State Office of the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV), gender-based violence is harm, or threats to harm, committed against someone based on their sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Gender-based violence can include physical, emotional, sexual, psychological and financial abuse, and is committed against a person solely because of how they relate to their gender. Gender-based violence can look like stalking, threatening, coercing, or taking advantage of a person because of their gender or gender expression.
Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse where one person seeks to control another person through violence or coercion. We see this dynamic between intimate partners or people who live together, such as family members. Both gender-based and domestic violence are deeply rooted in exploiting unequal power relationships between two people, and are very damaging to the person being abused. Often, people who have experienced domestic or gender-based violence can feel isolated, alone, afraid, angry, depressed or powerless. They can also suffer from the effects of trauma, which can impact all aspects of their life and the lives of those around them.
In New York State, violence against others is considered a “family offense” and is a crime. Violence can take many different forms such as assault, stalking or intimidation or coercion. All of these actions are illegal and punishable according to the law. For more information on the crimes related to domestic violence, check out the NY Courts website here.
Women4Women works with women who have experienced any of these forms of violence and abuse to help empower them with the tools they need to fight back, advocate for themselves and their children, and understand and protect their rights. We believe all women are strong and capable and work to harness their power in order to help themselves and others in a similar position to heal, build and thrive.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our programs here or reach out to us at info@women4womenbk.org.