Where Women Suffer, Society Bleeds

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]oo often matters of serious concern sometimes receive insufficient media coverage, therefore are unlikely to be the subjects of day-to-day conversation. However, from time to time—usually in the wake of the latest abhorrent act—the earlier forgotten incidents are recalled. One such matter is violence against women. Recent revelations of sexual misconduct on the part of popular and influential people have brought the subject of abuse against women and girls back to the front burner. But for how long?

The United Nations defines violence against women as “any act of gender-based violence that results, or is likely to result, in physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”  How extensive is the problem? An analysis of data compiled in 2013 by the WHO from over 80 countries revealed that one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

In small countries like St. Lucia, certain information gets circulated very quickly.  Sadly, within a short space of time, matters more sensational usually supplant the strong public outcries and condemnation. This occurs for several reasons. For example, many view these incidents as personal issues rather than a social problem. Consequently, people who witness or have knowledge of these incidents are reluctant to report them to the authorities. In the meantime victims and perpetrators forgive one another and move on until the next incident. It has been reported that even some law enforcement officials are reluctant to pursue domestic violence reports, on the premise that the involved parties often kiss and make up before their first court appearance. One law enforcement officer admitted to me his disappointment when a victim he had rescued from a batterer refused to press charges. One day after reporting the incident, victim and perpetrator were seen publicly demonstrating their affection for each other.

The victims often find themselves having to choose between pressing charges and losing their only source of sustenance.  This problem is compounded when children are involved. The availability of employment and level of education of the victim are also deciding factors. Even when the courts have ordered regular child support, it turns out to be an easier said than done situation. So many fathers are unemployed and thus unable to take care of their estranged families. Often, mothers are reluctant to take legal action, for fear of bearing the responsibility for the incarceration of the father of their children. And no one is more familiar with such predicaments than police officers.

But what is the root of this violence?  Some authorities advise it is a case of monkey see monkey do; the seed that germinates into violence against women is planted at an early age. Some children grow up believing violence and emotional abuse add up to normal behavior (WHO, 2017). Much of the music young people listen to degrades women and glorifies the abuse of females. The wholesale acceptance of certain behavior and speech that facilitates such violence against women is part of the problem.  Social media has made it possible for acts of violence against women to be circulated for perverse amusement.

What about the cost? As reported by the United Nations, the direct cost of the health system, counseling and other related services; the justice system; child and welfare support. Also, indirect costs such as lost wages, productivity and potential. These are just a part of what societies pay for violence against women. It is estimated that the cost of violence against women could amount to around 2 percent of the global gross domestic product (GDP). To put this in perspective, the annual cost of intimate partner violence was calculated at $5.8 billion in the United States and $1.16 billion in Canada; in Australia, violence against women and children costs an estimated $11.38 billion per year; and domestic violence costs approximately $32.9 billion in England and Wales (UNWOMEN, 2016).

How do we address this social problem locally? Much depends on treating it as a social problem. But it’s truly a problem of tremendous magnitude and many would agree that the rewiring of the brain to reject the thoughts that precede such acts is key. It has been suggested that this could be achieved by means of education/sensitization coupled with stiff punishment. However, a critical first step should be a comprehensive and unbiased analysis of the situation, not simply to attract funding, but for the proposition of realistic, impartial and achievable solutions.