Violence against women is a human rights abuse that directly affects one-third of women and indirectly affects all men and women. Each year millions of women are affected by beatings, rape, torture, intimidation, humiliation and discrimination. The perpetrators can be strangers, soldiers or colleagues. More commonly, they are partners or relatives.

Violence against women cuts across race, religion, income, class, culture and age. It is not confined to a particular political or economic system, but pervades every society in the world, so much so, that millions of women consider it a way of life. It should not be - it's a human rights abuse.

What is violence against women?

Article 1 of the United Nations (UN) Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women defines violence against women as:

"any act of gender based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

There are many different kinds of violence perpetrated against women and many different names for it, including:

  • family violence
  • intimate partner violence
  • sexual abuse
  • sexual assault
  • sexual harassment
  • gender-based discrimination
  • intimidation
  • torture-physical and mental
  • battering
  • sexual abuse of children
  • dowry-related violence
  • rape
  • female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women
  • non-spousal violence
  • trafficking in women
  • exploitation
  • forced prostitution
  • violence perpetrated or condoned by the state.

A snapshot of abuse

  • One in three women worldwide is a victim of beating, rape, torture or other attack.
  • One in three women in Australia who has been in a relationship reported violence in their relationships
  • Domestic violence in Australia contributes to more ill health and premature death for women aged 15 to 44 than any other single factor.
  • Worldwide, 70 per cent of female murder victims are killed by their male partners.
  • Indigenous women in Australia are 10 times more likely to die as a result of domestic violence than are non-indigenous women.
  • In 2002-03 it was estimated that there were 408,100 Australian victims of domestic violence-of these, 87 per cent were women. These disturbing rates of violence against women demonstrate that urgent action needs to be taken at all levels of government and society to address this epidemic.

Why is it a human rights issue?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone should enjoy human rights without discrimination on grounds of gender. The UN also declared that violence against women is a human rights violation that requires urgent action, and proclaimed that women's rights are human rights.

Violence against women is about power and control. It is a deliberate action against a woman or girl child simply because of her gender.

Women have the right to:

  • live free from violence
  • live free from the fear of violence
  • live free from discrimination
  • live free from torture
  • autonomy over their own bodies.

Relationships of respect

Violence occurs when there is a lack of respect for women. When there's respect in a relationship, both people feel free to be themselves and feel more trusting of each other. A respectful relationship is one where you feel:

  • safe and never scared of your partner
  • free to say no to things you don't want to do
  • free to see friends and family when you want
  • free to express you opinions and beliefs
  • free to change your mind
  • good about yourself
  • supported to make your own decisions
  • free to end the relationship if you want to.

What can be done to address this human rights scandal?

While everyone has a responsibility to put a stop to this human rights scandal, governments have a particular responsibility to address violence against women and uphold their human rights.

Respect

Governments must not commit violence against women.

Protect

Governments must protect people at immediate risk of harm and address the causes and conditions of violence against women.

Fulfil

Governments must make laws to secure the rights of women and make sure that those laws are fully implemented and realised. It also means that governments must fund support services, such as refuges and legal advocacy services.

Promote

Governments should take measures to educate all citizens about rights, including through education at school, public information broadcasting and by providing information to service users.

Governments around the world, including the Australian Government, can and must do more to stop this grave human rights violation.

Do something about violence against women today

You can take action to stop violence against women now on our Stop violence against women campaign page. You'll also find more information on the campaign, some great resources, news and blogs.