Gender-Based Violence and Respectful Relationships

Flashcards covering key concepts of Gender-Based Violence including causes, effects, and prevention, as well as defining consent and healthy relationships.

Violence

The act of physically or psychologically harming another person, group, or community; it is intentional and involves force or threat and aims to emotionally break down the person who experiences it.

Forms of Violence

Physical violence, emotional and psychological abuse, and hate crimes.

Effects of Violence

Trauma, disabilities, death, fear, vulnerability, nightmares, and flashbacks.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Psychological, emotional, sexual, or economic violence that occurs due to unequal power relationships between genders in society, often influenced by perceived gender roles, norms, and expectations.

Forms of GBV

Violence against women and girls (VAWG), violence against LGBTIQA+ people, intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic violence (DV), and sexual violence (SV).

Gender Inequality as a Cause of GBV

Oppressed gender identities are more vulnerable to violence due to inequality between genders, this is often based on gender stereotypes and perceived power imbalances.

Learned Behavior as a Cause of GBV

GBV can be considered ‘normal’ in some communities where cultural and religious practices play a large role in understanding how to treat various genders which leads to perpetuating violence because it is considered normal.

Media's Role in GBV

The media reinforces aggressive masculinity and thus normalises GBV through TV, books and other sources, influencing children on what is expected of their gender.

Other Factors Causing GBV

Alcohol and substance abuse, transgenerational relationships or ‘sugar daddies’, and lack of resources and places of safety.

Consequences of GBV

Physical injury, sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages, depression, anxiety, PTSD, fear, shock, complex trauma, low self-esteem, substance abuse, shame, guilt, living in fear, and suicidal ideations.

Harassment

Unreasonable and unwanted behaviour from someone else that is offensive and harming.

Sexual Harassment

Unwanted sexual behaviour from another person that is psychologically and physically harmful.

Intention of Sexual Harassment

To exert power over another, making the victim feel insulted, intimidated, and threatened.

Rape Culture

Perpetuates the belief that victims have contributed to their own victimization and are responsible for what has happened to them; includes false beliefs and stereotypes that justify aggressive behavior and silences the voices of sexual assault victims.

Victim Blaming

When a community, group of people, or individual blames the person for that person’s assault.

Prevention of Rape Culture and Victim Blaming

Challenge those who accept or condone violence, promote independence, challenge stereotypes and gender roles, and strengthen positive, equal, and respectful relationships.

Healthy Relationship

A relationship that forms on three basic principles: freedom, love, and respect with two peple who can communicate with respect and honesty and two people feel safe in the relationship.

Consent

A mutual agreement based on a shared desire for sexual activities; it is an ongoing verbal interaction that involves honesty, respect, and trust.

Seeking Consent

When a person asks for consent from their sexual partner before engaging in the activity or action, without coercion. They make their desires and expectations clear.

Receiving Consent

Hearing a clear agreement from one’s sexual partner. Asking a sexual partner to explain if they are unsure that the answer is a ‘yes’