Women's Aid - 16 Days Campaign Blog

Day 16: International Human Rights Day

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:09:00 GMT

HRD2012_EN_large

Today is the last day of the 16 Days of Action campaign and UN Human Rights Day. Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere.

This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people -- women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized -- to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.

In Ireland, on 10th December we highlight that violence against women is an abuse of women's human rights.

In 2012, women and young girls are subject to many forms of human rights violations solely on the basis of their gender. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, usually by a member of her family or someone she knows. In no country in the world are women safe from such human rights abuses.

Violence against women is a violation of a woman's human rights. These rights are:

The right not to be treated in an inhuman and degrading way
The right to respect for private and family life including the right to emotional and physical integrity
The right to life

In Ireland the abuse of women's human rights include: physical assault, emotional abuse and psychological torture, rape, sexual abuse, stalking, trafficking, and sexual harassment. Like all organisations working on the frontline, Women's Aid hears directly from women about the abuse and violence they suffer on a daily basis in their own homes.

In 2011, women disclosed to our National Freephone Helpline that they were:

Raped
Beaten with weapons
Imprisoned in their homes
held down and strangled to the point of passing out
deprived of sleep
followed, stalked and monitored

Read the full report here.

These examples of abusive tactics used by perpetrators of domestic violence can be easily compared with the behaviour of other human rights abusers who target civilians, prisoners and political opponents.

The effects of the abuse on women are significant and wide ranging. These include physical injury, self-harm, isolation, lowered self-esteem, suicidal feelings and attempted suicide, loss of income or work, homelessness, poor health and death.

During the 16 Days of Action 2012 Women's Aid has striven to make women's voices heard with our One in Five Women campaign. Show your support - watch and share the One In Five Women video today. Click here.

On UN Human Rights Day Women's Aid calls on the Irish Government to Sign the Istanbul Convention

This convention is an innovative and comprehensive measure to combat violence against women, including domestic violence, recognising it as both a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination. It includes measures in the areas of prevention of violence, protection of victims, prosecution of the perpetrators, and integrated policies. By signing the Convention, the Government would signal a strong commitment to ending violence against women.

130 groups (and counting) take part in the 16 Days of Action in Ireland

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 11:05:00 GMT

Day 16 16 Days Campaign in Ireland

With the 16 Days of Action drawing to a close, it looks like 2012 has been the largest 16 Days of Action campaign in Ireland yet.

130 groups (and counting) have taken part in the national One in Five Women campaign and National Balloon Action, or in their own local initiative.

With so much activity during the campaign around the country, it is safe to say that the campaign has been successful at raising awareness of the nature and extent of violence against women in Ireland. Our fellow community membres have been made more aware of what an abusive relationship might look like, and how truly dangerous it is for women and children.

The campaign has also raised awareness of the existing supports for women experiencing abuse. As friends, colleagues, family members, we will be more likely to recognise an abusive relationship, and more likely to be aware of the support available for our loved ones-a local community group, refuge, or the National Freephone Helpline.

We have made links between local community groups, schools, the Gardai, local representatives, and services providing direct support. These links will ultimately provide a better response for women experiencing domestic violence in the community.

We have also reached out to Government to ensure that better legal protection for women is made available and enforced.

Local action during the 16 Days was profiled in news media around the country, further raising the profile of the campaign and organisations involved. Here is a sampling of the coverage:

See photos of local 16 Days of Action events across Ireland here.

Human Rights Week in Ireland

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 10:26:00 GMT

The United Nations Human Rights Day takes place on 10 December every year to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere. The date was chosen to honour the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on 10 December 1948.

The international day tends to generate so many events that they often spread into a de facto 'Human Rights Week'. FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centre) have put together a Human Rights Week 2012. website showcasing events to mark Human Rights Week, and work done to further human rights in Ireland.

The Women's Aid One in Five Women Campaign is featured here.

Today, there is also a blog carnival on the Human Rights in Ireland blogsite, which will feature contributions from several of the organisations offering events on this site. Of particular interest is an article about a recent domestic violence case taken to the European Court of Human Rights by a woman from Northern Ireland.

Please share the information on the various events and campaigns using the social media links below and don't forget to use the hashtag - #hrweek2012.

Day 15: Domestic violence and links to female homicide

Sun, 09 Dec 2012 13:13:00 GMT

Day 15 Female Homicide in Ireland

Female homicide is the extreme end of the violence against women spectrum. To highlight this issue Women's Aid has been collating data on female homicide in Ireland since the beginning of 1996.

To date, 186 women have been died violently in the Republic of Ireland. That is an average of 12 women a year losing their lives in the most tragic and brutal circumstances. Each woman leaves behind devastated family, friends and in many cases, children.

Our statistics relating to resolved cases, show that women are more likely to be killed in their own homes than any other location (62%), that they most likely know their killer (88%) and that in 99% of cases the perpetrator was male.

71 women (53% of resolved cases) were killed by those closest to them - a current or former husband, partner or boyfriend.

Threats to kills and attempts to kill are a common feature of domestic violence and leave many women living in a constant state of fear. The tragic reality is that some women pay the ultimate price of their lives.

Research conducted in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK has found that killing by a partner is the form of homicide which most women are most at risk of. Leaving or threats of leaving have been cited in many studies as the event that provokes a violent response surmising that the male partner is threatened by the loss of control and will stop at nothing to resume that control, including murder. Homicide rates are higher for women who have separated than they are for women in intact relationships, with these fatalities tending to occur in the immediate aftermath of separation.

The risks for female homicide were summarised in 2006 by Women Against Violence Europe as including:

Previous acts of violence against the partner and the children or other
members of the family
Separation and divorce are times of high risk
Severity and frequency of violent acts
Violence against former partners or other family members
Acts of violence outside the family
Possession of weapons, use of weapons
Abuse of alcohol or drugs
Threats
Threats of murder/serious coercion
Threats of suicide, depression
Extreme jealousy and possessiveness
Extremely patriarchal concepts and attitudes
Persecution, psychological terror (stalking)
Danger for children
Non-compliance with restraining orders by courts or police
Risk assessment by the partner

Women's Aid knows that we have helped to make thousands of women and their children safe from domestic violence. There is hope and women affected can lead safer, happier lives free of abuse. So, if you are afraid of someone close don't be afraid to call Women's Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900, 10am to 10pm, 7 days a week. It is a good place to start to talk about what is happening to you.

Day 14: Domestic violence and health

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:40:00 GMT

Day 14 Health impacts of domestic abuse

Women who have experienced domestic violence are at an increased risk of depression and suicide attempts; physical injuries; psychosomatic disorders; unwanted pregnancies; HIV and other STD's; being killed by a partner. (World Health Organisation, World Report on Violence and Health, 2002)

The effects of violence on a woman's health are severe. In addition to the immediate injuries from physical assault, women may suffer from chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, psychosomatic symptoms, and eating problems.

Emotional abuse can also have devastating health impacts. Domestic violence is associated with mental health problems such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Some studies indicate that women experiencing abuse are at heightened risk for suicide. Women's Aid hears of attempted suicide on our Helpline, as happened in Kate's story of domestic violence, as told to Womens' Aid here.

Reproductive health is also at a hugely increased risk for women experiencing abuse by their partner, often including sexual violence. Women who are abused suffer an increased risk of unplanned or early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. As trauma victims, they are also at an increased risk of substance abuse. According to a U.S. study, women who experience intimate partner abuse are three times more likely to have gynecological problems than non-abused women.

Domestic violence can be fatal. Female Homicide in Ireland will be further discussed with tomorrow's infographic. Women are both intentionally murdered by their partners and lose their life as a result of injuries inflicted by them. Choking and strangulation, incredibly threatening and brutal tactics often used in abuse, can go undetected by police or health professionals because they rarely leaves physical marks. Injuries resulting from choking or strangulation can often be lethal; and can kill the victim within 36 hours.

Read more about the health effects of violence against women and girls on the WHO Fact Sheet here.

Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, Master, Rotunda Hospital supports the 16 Days of Action

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 15:52:00 GMT

sam coulter smith

"I am delighted to support Women's Aid International 16 Days of Action Opposing Violence against Women. Violence against women is to be deplored in all its forms and any campaign which highlights the issue of violence against women should be supported. Unfortunately violence against women is something gthat can and does occur in pregnancy and it is up to all of us who work in the health care services to do our best to encourage women to come forward and seek help when this occurs."

Dr. Sam Coulter Smith is a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Master of the Rotunda Hospital and a clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Royal College of Surgeons.

Donegal Local Development Company joins National Balloon Action

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 14:32:00 GMT

donegal local development company

Donegal Local Development Company came together, showing their support for women who suffer at the hands of Domestic Violence in Donegal and nationwide, releasing balloons outside Letterkenny Community Centre on Wednesday 5th December last at noon, representing 1 in 5 women living with Domestic Violence.

You can find out more about Donegal Local Development Company here.

Listen Louder! Film launch to highlight affects of domestic violence on children

Fri, 07 Dec 2012 12:47:00 GMT

mci shop window

Listen Louder

On Friday 7th December, MCI Ireland's (Mayo Children's Initiative) 16 Days of Action awareness raising events will culminate in the launch of our latest film 'Listen Louder!'.

Listen Louder! is a short piece designed to heighten awareness around the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. Children are all too often the forgotten victims of domestic abuse and this film encourages everyone to Listen Louder to the voices of children.

The launch will take place at 1pm in Mayo Movie World, Castlebar and we welcome all those interested in attending to contact MCI Ireland on 094-9286407. Mayo Movie World have also agreed to show the MCI film before the main feature films during the 16 Days.

16 Days in Schools

MCI Ireland has also been working with three primary schools in south Mayo for the 16 Days (Gortjordan, Ballycushion and Kilmaine) doing an exciting art project with the senior classes expressing wishes about feeling safe, happy and loved.

The work expressing the children¹s wishes is presented as an art installation on display in each of the schools. Each school has expressed these wishes differently. In Gortjordan they have built a large house out of cardboard bricks decorated with wishes, representing the importance of feeling safe and secure at home.

In Kilmaine the pupils created colourful cardboard figures - a portrait of each of the children in the class and the things they love, all under the banner of ŒWe all have the right to feel safe all of the time¹. In Ballycushon the children have created winter trees and a winter landscape and hanging on the trees in little silver pockets are their wishes for all the children in Mayo this Christmas.

Ultimately our goal through this project is that all the children know that they have a right to feel safe all the time.

16 Shop Windows

MCI Ireland has also mounted a 16 Days of Action campaign in Castlebar in collaboration with 16 local shop windows who are displaying 16 facts about the impact of domestic abuse on children/young people. Each shop window is displaying a different fact (as pictured).

You can find out more about MCI Ireland in the guest blog post by Manager Helen Mortimer here.