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Relationships Gone Awry

Domestic ViolenceViolence accounts for over 1.6 million deaths per year, or 4,000 people per day.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO) it is a significant public health, human rights and human development problem.

More than 800 people die every day as a direct result of violent conflict: more than 30 deaths each hour.

Public health surveys around the world reveal that up to 69 percent of women reported being physically assaulted by their intimate male partner.

In countries like Australia, Canada, the United States of America, South Africa, and Israel, studies show that between 40-70 percent of female murder victims were killed by their boyfriends or husbands.

Violence Against Women

Violence against women is commonly performed by a husband or intimate male partner.  Intimate partner violence does not discriminate—women of a variety of social, economic, religious, or cultural groups prey victim to acts of physical aggression – such as slapping, kicking and beating.

They are also subject to psychological abuses consisting of perpetual belittling, humiliating, and intimidation.   For these, and many more reasons violence by intimate partners has become a significant public health problem.  In order to help resolve this major concern, communities, individuals, and many other sectors must join forces on a national and international level.

Women in many places in the world are at risk due to notions of male honor and female chastity.  For instance, in various parts of the Eastern Mediterranean, male honor can be judged by the sexual “purity” of women in his family.  If a woman is sexually “defiled”, voluntarily, or involuntarily she may be interpreted as having disgraced the family honor.

In Alexandria, Egypt, 47 percent of women who have been raped were killed by a relative.  In addition, over 80 percent of the women who live in rural areas of Egypt justify beatings citing refusing a man sex as the number one reason.

Events That Trigger Violence

Various studies around the world provide a remarkable list of events that trigger partner violence.  Some of the triggers are the following:

  • Not obeying the man
  • Not having food ready on time
  • Refusing a man sex
  • Questioning the man about girlfriends or money
  • Arguing back
  • Going someplace without permission from the man

In addition, recently derived evidences indicate violence may affect the lives of children.  Children are usually present when domestic violence occurs.

In Ireland, 64 percent of abused women stated their children were witness to violence that occurred in the family on a routine basis; 50 percent of women in Monterrey, Mexico also substantiated this claim.

One can imagine the effects on children who witness marital violence; they are more susceptible to emotional and behavioral problems which include anxiety, depression, inadequate school performance, low self-esteem, nightmares and physical health problems.

In Leo’n, Nicaragua, researchers uncovered some astounding facts:  children before the age of 5 years were six times more likely to die if they were children of women who were physically and sexually abused by their partner.

Additional Information on Violence Prevention

As I stated earlier in this post and I believe worth repeating, violence accounts for over 1.6 million deaths per year or 4,000 people per day.  According to the World Health Organization it’s a significant public health, human rights and human development problem.

For those who care, we must empower women and girls, eliminate the community and societal norms that instill and condone violence to girls and women by reaching out to men, providing for the needs of victims, and increasing penalties for abusers.

The World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more information on violence prevention, risk factors, and recommendation.

Local and city government’s public health offices may also provide the necessary information you need in getting support or providing assistance to those in need.


About the author: George Zapo is certified in Public Health Promotion and Education (Kent State University). George provides informative articles promoting healthy behavior and lifestyles.

5 comments… add one
  • I suppose that this can be a downside to the “nice guys finish last” mentality. I often hear about women going for the bad boys. Of course, domestic violence (as mentioned in this article) goes to show that one has to be very careful when it comes to choosing a potential husband/wife since if they choose the wrong person, it can really come back to haunt them if you know what I mean. I remember back when I had my first girlfriend (back in 2001) I was in my senior year of high school and she was only a year younger than me and while the relationship went well at first, it seemed like she was in a hurry to getting married and I wasn’t ready for that (she wanted me to get an engagement ring for her on her birthday).

    • Ryan,

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts and opinion. Nice guys might finish last; however it’s important to note that they, in fact, finish. Violence is a deep and complicated reality. We are only scratching the surface to understand why people become violent. We must take an eclectic and holistic approach in determining the reasons why while we formulate more, and better ways to prevent it.

      Take good care,

      George Zapo

  • Afsar

    Absolutely important issue !!!

    As per your your valuable article You depicts the consequences of such bad behaved of man with woman. I request you to make another article to show the happy consequences of good behaved of men with woman,
    Thanks for notice of valuable issue!

    Warm Regards,
    Afsar.

    • Thank you for reading and commenting on my recent post, Afsar! It’s good to hear from you! I believe you have a perfect idea to highlight the happy consequences of men behaving healthy with respect to women.

      It would be great and beneficial for everyone if women would post their conception of men acting in ways that result in happy consequences. I encourage them to respond to our request.

      Furthermore, I’ll do my part to research, identify, and provide healthy alternatives that result in happier lives.

      Take good care,

      George Zapo
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9zyUwRGAY4

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