Social Care and Support Guide for Victims

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE

GBV  stands for Gender-Based Violence, which refers to any harmful act or behavior that is perpetrated against an individual based on their gender. This can include physical, sexual, or emotional violence, as well as discrimination and unequal treatment. GBV is a pervasive issue that affects people of all genders, but women and girls are disproportionately impacted. It can have devastating consequences on the individual's physical and mental health, as well as their social and economic well-being. Strategies to prevent and address GBV require a comprehensive approach that addresses root causes, promotes gender equality, and provides support and services for survivors.

The most common kind of abuse is physical abuse, this may take the shape of a variety of actions, including the following:

Hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, burning, strangulation, damaging personal property, and using coercion and employing weapons.

EMOTIONAL  ABUSE

This is when a person tries to exert power and control over his or her loved one by any of the following behaviors:

putting people down by calling them names; putting all of the blame on the other person's partner; unhealthy jealousy; intimidation; shaming; embarrassing; isolation.

Being in control of everything.

Stalking, or cyber stalking, and harassment.

SEXUAL ABUSE.

Involving a partner in sexual  activity against their will, exploiting them online (revenge porn), having sexual contact with a victim when that person is either not fully aware of what's going on or is too afraid to say no.

During sexual activity, it is illegal to hurt your partner physically, force your partner to engage in sexual activity without protection, or try to stop birth control from working.

FINANCIAL ABUSE.

Abuse of funds may refer to any activity that serves to preserve power and control over one's financial situation. Some examples are being directly or indirectly to blame for a partner losing their job, like when one of the following happens:

causing someone bodily harm or injury that would prevent them from going to work and being productive. Being harassed at the workplace, by maintaining control of their partner's financial assets while essentially placing them on an allowance. Taking out loans and using the money.

Bringing down the credit score of a spouse. These are naming a few.

OTHER ABUSE.

Toxic and narcissistic individuals are capable of committing serious acts of abuse against their targets, including gaslighting, triangulation, hoovering, discarding, and spiritual abuse; this may also involve mental and emotional abuse.