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 (Unesco 1999 p.53)
VAWG is an umbrella term which includes the following types of abuses. You can click on the links below to learn more about each type of VAWG:
Coercive and Controlling behaviour
Sexual violence, abuse and exploitation
Including:
Crimes committed in the name of “honour” - so-called 'honour based violence'
Including:
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Gendered Gang Violence (girls in gangs)
The term Violence Against Women and Girls can often cause concern about the exclusion of men and boys from services, and a lack of recognition that men and boys can also experience these forms of violence and abuse.
The UN Declaration is based on the concept of disproportionate impact. We understand the gendered nature of these types of abuse and crimes, and also that men and boys are sometimes victims of these types of abuse and crimes.
It is important that men and boys are included in all aspects of our work on all forms of violence against women and girls (particularly work on prevention and awareness raising).
If you or someone who know is a man/boy experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available.
Victim Support offer a specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) for men:
Email: IVWS@victimsupport.org.uk
Tel: 0808 168 9111
Respect run a helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse:
Men's Advice Line: 0808 8011327
