How to prevent and detect gender-based violence

Violence is a serious violation of rights and an impediment to people achieving full citizenship, autonomy, and freedom.

When we talk about gender-based violence, we must understand that we are referring to its most extreme form in terms of the violation of women's rights. It encompasses all actions that contribute to the systematic undermining of the dignity, self-esteem, and physical and mental integrity of women, girls, and people whosegender identity or sexuality identifies as female. It is a type of structural violence, as it is present in all societies and all social spaces, although it occurs at different levels and through different mechanisms depending on various factors.

Gender-based violence is also legally recognized as violence that occurs in other areas outside of the couple, such as: work, institutional, education, obstetrics… which occur simply because of being a woman.

Within the category of male violence, we find gender-based violence: which occurs in relationships where the woman is or has been a spouse, partner, or has had a relationship with the male aggressor of any kind.

In contrast, when we talk about abuse, we are referring to a range of types of violence perpetrated. Abuse can be physical, psychological, environmental, social, economic, institutional, digital, or sexual. Abuse is understood as any act committed by a man against a woman with the intent to cause harm to the victim.

Thus, when we refer to abuse, we do so to indicate sexual abuse, which is currently included under the concept of sexual assault according to Organic Law 10/2022 of September 6, on the comprehensive guarantee of sexual freedom, known as "yes means yes".

Violence between same-sex partners or violence from women towards men is not considered gender-based violence because, by definition, gender-based violence is violence perpetrated by a man against a woman and stems from the historical power imbalance between the sexes. However, abuse also occurs within same-sex relationships.

Contextually, violence between same-sex couples is called intragender violence.

Although the origin of violence in homosexual couples is different, the symptoms are very similar to those of women victims of gender violence: "There is annulment, there may be physical abuse, economic control..."

However, it also has certain elements that are characteristic of couples that are part of the LGBTIQA+ community and therefore it is necessary to provide a response from specific and trained services to offer the appropriate care.

Currently, same-sex partner violence is classified in the Penal Code as domestic violence , where there is no discrimination based on sexual orientation. Therefore, legally speaking, same-sex partner violence falls within the legal framework of domestic violence, but it is important to highlight the nuances and underlying causes. We cannot fall into the trap of categorizing all forms of violence under the same lens, as doing so can obscure its unique characteristics and hinder our ability to intervene and prevent it.

In conclusion, we can affirm that all violence is based on an inequality of power, but while gender violence is caused by sexism, what has been called intragender violence is influenced by countless variables, from functional diversity, economic level, isolation from friends and family, lack of social support networks, foreign origin, or internalized LGBTphobia.

It exists, even if the escape routes for these victims are not visible or well-known. Therefore, it is important to emphasize that there ARE services and resources available if you are experiencing violence in a same-sex relationship. In Catalonia, this service is the Servei d'Atenció Integral per a persones LGTBIQA+ (Comprehensive Care Service for LGBTQIA+ People).

Gender-based violence encompasses many forms of violence: economic, social, psychological, physical, verbal, sexual, environmental, digital… Within this classification of violence, there are many nuances that manifest themselves in any form and situation. Therefore, highlighting only a few specific signs that allow us to distinguish an abusive relationship is complex and delicate. In other words, we cannot quantify violence by establishing a limit, because violence is like a seed, which grows little by little under the right conditions.

We can talk about the beginnings of the violence:

• He wants to control everything you do and think; he doesn't let you have secrets.
• He wants to know every detail about the time you don't spend together.
• She wants to decide how you should dress, style your hair, or behave.
• It forbids you from doing things or associating with certain people.
• He argues with you unexpectedly, in public or in private.
• You have to guess their thoughts or desires and adapt.
• He gives orders and hardly talks to you.
• He blames you and holds you responsible for everything that goes wrong until you end up believing it yourself.
• He doesn't apologize for anything, he never admits his mistakes.
• He sets the rules: when and how you see each other, where you go, etc.
• He does things he doesn't want you to do.
• He never honors the agreements or commitments between the two of us.
• He never accepts any of your criteria or observations.
• It does not recognize your qualities or values.
• He is not very sociable with your friends and family.
• It makes you feel inferior.
• He always promises to change, but he doesn't.
• He's making fun of you.
• He uses information you have explained to him against you.
• He gets angry or stops talking to you for days without giving you an explanation.
• He always wants to know more than you.
• He has outbursts of anger and then acts like nothing happened.
• He constantly shows jealousy.

Any form of abuse is harmful and could be the start of an abusive relationship; to prevent it, it is important to be able to talk about it.

Talk to someone you trust who is nearby.

Contact the emergency number 112 , the security forces in your area of residence or the victim assistance telephone number 900 900 120 .

If you live in Catalonia, locate the nearest Women's Information and Support Service (SIAD) to request assistance.

Go to the nearest police station and file a complaint if you wish.

Resources and services are allocated by different public administrations (state, regional and local) with the aim of providing women with the necessary support and facilitating access to these resources, thus contributing to better care.

The available support resources address the diverse needs that a woman victim of gender violence may have: specialized information, emergency accommodation resources, psychological care, legal guidance and advice, financial benefits, etc.

The trend is to increase resources allocated to equality policies to offer women options to escape situations of gender-based violence to which they and their children are subjected. Resources exist to help women leave such situations; however, they do not exist for those who choose to remain with their abuser. We cannot protect her while she is in her home and unaware of the situation.

In these situations, the woman must be aware that she is not only exposing herself to physical and psychological risk, but also her children. This is why child protection services find themselves in the position of having to intervene and address the situation. However, it is important to emphasize that such intervention only occurs in situations where the abuse and risk are severe and the mother, for whatever reason, is unable to stop it.

We must dispel the misconception that if child welfare services become aware of a situation of violence, the children are immediately removed. Each case has its own unique circumstances and specific characteristics, which the team of professionals studies and monitors closely, ultimately working with the woman to develop a plan that allows her and her children to live safely.

Our experience and various studies corroborate that male violence is a form of chronic exposure to severe stress that can modify the mechanisms involved in the physiological and emotional response.

These consequences are less obvious than physical trauma, but in the medium and long term, they can lead to mental and physical health problems. The avoidance and hypervigilance responses that women survivors have learned to use to cope with this type of violence are typically characteristic of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Learning these coping strategies appears to be related to the emergence of mental health problems (anxiety, depression and PTSD) and substance abuse (alcohol or psychotropic drugs, among others), but also to a reduction in immunological adaptability and alterations in the immune response (chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia) and in cardiovascular and respiratory health (asthma and heart attacks).

Despite the devastating consequences that gender-based violence has on women's physical and mental health, many manage to recover after experiencing it. It's important to note that these women are rarely included in statistics, nor are those who, thanks to the help they receive, are able to identify the violence perpetrated against them and even end a relationship permanently in time.

The psychotherapeutic support many of these women receive is helping them, despite all the problems hidden behind gender-based violence, to not only preserve their lives but also overcome and positively rebuild their identities. In most cases, in a situation of isolation, they have been subjected to belittling remarks, insults, and other forms of abuse that have led them to internalize the negative ideas the abuser has expressed about them, ultimately damaging their self-esteem. However, despite how complex it is, many go from being victims to survivors and manage to break free from the controlling relationship, escape it, and recover.

Currently, the SIAD (Women's Information and Support Service) in Catalonia regularly offers courses and activities with a gender perspective, focused on personal growth, self-esteem, self-defense, etc., with the aim of strengthening women's autonomy and empowerment. While these courses are not exclusively dedicated to training for the prevention of gender-based violence, they do work to raise awareness and highlight certain indicators that may suggest an abusive relationship.

Furthermore, in these specialized services (SIAD), the professionals are trained to advise and guide women who believe they may be suffering from a situation of gender-based violence.

Likewise, if you believe you may be experiencing such a situation, seek information at the nearest women's care center or go to your health center; they will be able to inform and advise you on what to do and where to go.

Services such as women's care centers or health centers can be a key place to prevent and detect situations of abuse early.

The most important protective factor is providing and receiving an education that breaks down gender stereotypes regarding violence. As long as boys are raised to be aggressive and rude, and girls to be docile and submissive, it will be impossible to prevent the adoption of violent attitudes and behaviors that lead to unequal and abusive relationships. It is imperative to redefine what is meant by masculine and feminine values.

Some suggestions for the family and school environment:

• Don't just speak in the masculine, but use more inclusive language.
• Consider the opinions and successes of girls as important as those of boys.
• Do not allow boys to make ironic or ridiculed comments about some of the girls' behavior, and correct those that are clearly derogatory.
• To curb the prominence of boys when they monopolize conversations, debates, etc.
• To value in boys the qualities that are wrongly considered feminine.
• Recognizing the capacity for initiative in girls.
• To emphasize personal care and aesthetics in boys.

Educating is an exercise in equality; both the father and the mother have the same responsibility regarding the development, education, well-being, and health of their children.

When we talk about co-responsibility, we are referring to the principle by which both parents, whether they live together or separately, can participate actively, equitably, and permanently in the upbringing and education of their sons and daughters.

The lack of parental responsibility in the upbringing and care of a child doubles the risk of emotional and behavioral adjustment problems. In Spain, university studies have shown that children whose upbringing was led by one parent are more likely to develop psycho-emotional disorders during childhood and adolescence.

This is why shared parental responsibility shows advantages in various areas, including psychological and emotional well-being, compared to sole parental responsibility. It's also worth noting, among other things, that parents who practice positive co-responsibility report greater satisfaction with their relationship with their children and experience less interparental conflict. Furthermore, mothers experience less stress and burden from childcare, and both parents develop a stronger, more positive relationship and greater emotional support.

We need positive male role models, men without stereotypes.

In the first stage of childhood or even before birth, from the moment the first question is asked: "is it a boy or a girl?", stereotypes are unintentionally established that determine the differences between men and women.

Boys are associated with strength, indifference, and self-affirmation; girls with weakness, delicacy, and caring for others. Boys are taught they can do anything; we are given limits.

These stereotypes run deep, defining and shaping how we relate to one another later on. Therefore, it is essential to teach positive models of masculinity, examples that help deconstruct the sexist and patriarchal society in which our roots still emerge today.

It takes work, commitment, and belief in the possibility of building an egalitarian society. However, as feminism grows, so does its opposition—the "polarization of feminism"—which leads to a greater prevalence of denialist discourses on this and other issues affecting equality.

Furthermore, unfortunately, this type of discourse is more likely to penetrate adolescents, with their worldview and their own being still under construction, and this, in turn, causes more tension and continues to normalize many abusive behaviors.

However, if we framed this issue as something in which young men have an active role and very clear benefits in deconstructing themselves so that they can free themselves from the stereotypes that also harm them, perhaps it would be easier for them to become involved in the feminist struggle and stop seeing themselves as part of the problem and start perceiving themselves as a clear part of the solution that liberates them and us as well.

Therefore, if a man asks what his important role is in preventing gender-based violence, the answer would undoubtedly be men without stereotypes who are the foundation of education for new generations.

We are sharing this guide in case it may be helpful: Preventing violence against women and girls from within the family .

We could differentiate between two typical situations:

You suspect that a woman in your circle is being abused by her partner.

It's important to understand the complexity of gender-based violence. Often, victims themselves are reluctant to report their abuser for various reasons, such as fear, guilt, shame, lack of social or family support, or economic dependence on the abuser. This reluctance can lead to misunderstanding from those around them, so the support that close people (family, friends, colleagues) can offer is essential.

We recommend:

• Don't pressure her.
• Let her know you're there to support her.
• Try to understand her,
• Don't judge her,
• Try talking to her about her feelings, the mistreatment, the control exerted by her partner, and the opportunity she and, if applicable, her children have to start living without fear and in an environment free of violence.

You witness or hear about a situation of gender-based violence.

It's important to remember that not too long ago, gender-based violence was considered a private matter in which no outsider should intervene. However, today, it is considered a social problem and a public offense. Therefore, we as citizens have an obligation to report it to the authorities so that the various protection mechanisms for women can be activated and these acts do not go unpunished. If you hear or witness an act of gender-based violence, contact the free emergency number 112, providing precise details of the location so that the police can respond as quickly as possible.

Yes, they can reproduce these patterns: boys as aggressors and girls as victims, and this is explained by the theory of intergenerational transmission of violence. This theory refers to the influence that families exert on children who, exposed to this violence, learn to perpetrate or tolerate it as a consequence of social learning. They adopt beliefs that violence is devoid of its aggressive nature, and it becomes normalized in everyday relationships. It is estimated that in more than half of cases of intimate partner violence, there is also violence toward children. Furthermore, it has been shown that the rate of repetition of these violent behaviors in adulthood can exceed 30%.

To break out of this pattern, you must first recognize the aggressive behaviors you engage in and be aware of wanting to change them.

In Barcelona, there are specialized centers that offer support to men to help them make this change. This program, which addresses violence, is specifically aimed at people who live, work, or study in Barcelona and are willing to change and improve their personal relationships to prevent the use of any type of violence.

The Violence Prevention Program works to help you:

• To identify and recognize violent behaviors and attitudes.
• To take responsibility for violent acts and their consequences.
• Understanding the process of gender-based violence.
• To seek non-violent alternatives in relationships.

Through individual psychological care, group treatments, and legal advice.

It is also important to highlight that the service (SAH) works with young people and adolescents who begin to show abusive behaviors and sexist violence, both in the context of the couple and in the family or social sphere, such as school or sexual bullying , to prevent it from becoming chronic over time.

The aim of working with adolescents and young people is to encourage a critical review of masculinity itself, as well as the construction of healthier, more respectful and egalitarian relationship alternatives.

To contact this program, you can call 933 491 610 or email plural@bcn.cat

If you are not from Barcelona, you can seek psychological help at other therapy centers near your town. The most important thing is to acknowledge the situation and want to change it. Then, you can contact professionals who can guide you and advise you on the resources available to you.

People diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more susceptible to experiencing bullying at school. It's important to note that girls and young women are often overlooked because diagnoses are based on male models. Furthermore, as you mention in your question and as all studies indicate, you are especially vulnerable to different forms of gender-based violence (sexual, psychological, physical assault, forced sterilization, etc.). It is crucial to provide girls and women diagnosed with ASD with specific tools so they can identify abusive behavior and report it. It is also essential to provide specific training to teachers and other professionals (healthcare, social, judicial, police, etc.) to facilitate the prevention and detection of gender-based violence and to offer support if they are victims of any type of gender-based violence.

As you correctly point out in the question, the time limit is a difficulty in creating an atmosphere of trust, but perhaps it's worth highlighting the following:

• Interview the woman alone, ensuring confidentiality.
• Begin with indirect questions and gradually introduce subsequent questions, adapting the conversation to the interlocutor's responses:
  • How is your relationship with your partner?
  • What is your relationship like with the people you live with?
  • How are arguments resolved at home?
  • Have you ever felt fear? If the answer indicates tension or fear, explore further.
• There are specific protocols and questionnaires, although they require more time, such as the Protocol for assessing the risk of violence against women by their partner or ex-partner

The WHO sums up frontline support in one word: ENCOURAGE

Pay attention when listening

N Do not judge and validate

I. Learn about the needs and concerns

M Improve security

To Support

The most important thing is to get training. Most professional associations and various public departments (health, education, and social services) organize and offer courses or training programs on addressing or preventing gender-based violence.

In general, the WHO, for example, has designed the Care program for women who have suffered violence: a WHO training program aimed at health service providers.

We share some guides, protocols or manuals that can serve as a guide:

• Protocol for addressing male violence in the area of health in Catalonia
• Gender violence: how it affects women's health
• Touching Equality. A contribution to the prevention of gender-based violence through co-education
• Social work and gender violence
• Psychology and gender violence
• Manual for trainers on sexual and gender violence : to improve the professional competence of workers in the reception and care sector for migrants and refugees.