Gender-Based Violence
Gender Base Violence
ENG 122
Alfred Penny Jr.
Saint Leo College
Gender-based Violence
Gender-based violence is understood, explained, or justified in terms of gender roles, gender difference, or gender inequality. Most of the violence is perpetrated by men against women. Gender-based violence is often physical abuse, often involving sexuality, but it may also be psychological. Violence against women occurs in every segment of society. It doesn’t matter what class your in (upper, middle, lower), ethnicity (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian), culture (African-American, German, French), or country (Europe, United States). Various forms of violence and coercion are against women. Most of these crimes against women are committed by their friends, lovers, and/or family members. It wasn’t until 1993 that The United Nations Declaration against Violence against women was adopted stating that violence against women was a violation of their human rights. This declaration fell short. So in 1994, The Violence against Women Act was strengthened by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 increased the focus and resources available at the federal level to combat violence against women. Nevertheless, gender-based violence remains one of the chief problems women face in society (Sapiro, 385, 388).
Let’s look at one type of gender-based violence which is sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of employment or participating in educational programs; or (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the individual; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee's work performance or student's academic performance creating an intimidating,
ENG 122
Alfred Penny Jr.
Saint Leo College
Gender-based Violence
Gender-based violence is understood, explained, or justified in terms of gender roles, gender difference, or gender inequality. Most of the violence is perpetrated by men against women. Gender-based violence is often physical abuse, often involving sexuality, but it may also be psychological. Violence against women occurs in every segment of society. It doesn’t matter what class your in (upper, middle, lower), ethnicity (Black, White, Hispanic, Asian), culture (African-American, German, French), or country (Europe, United States). Various forms of violence and coercion are against women. Most of these crimes against women are committed by their friends, lovers, and/or family members. It wasn’t until 1993 that The United Nations Declaration against Violence against women was adopted stating that violence against women was a violation of their human rights. This declaration fell short. So in 1994, The Violence against Women Act was strengthened by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000 increased the focus and resources available at the federal level to combat violence against women. Nevertheless, gender-based violence remains one of the chief problems women face in society (Sapiro, 385, 388).
Let’s look at one type of gender-based violence which is sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made a term or condition of employment or participating in educational programs; or (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as a basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the individual; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an employee's work performance or student's academic performance creating an intimidating,
Cited: Hill, A.F., & Jordan, E.C (1995). Race, Gender, and Power in America, (pp 3-288). New York, NY Landau, E. (1993). Sexual Harassment, (pp 1-67). Publishing Company, Inc. Sapiro, V. (1999). Women in American Society. An Introduction to Women’s Studies, Consenting Adults? Gender-based Violence and Coercion (pp 385-409) United Nation Population Funds (UNFPA). (n.d.). [Fact Sheet]. Gender-based Violence. Retrieved September 19, 2009, from http://www.unfpa.org/gender/violence.htm U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2005). Sexual Assault. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/sexualassault.htm#1