Violence is not just about beating and inflicting physical harm. Violence is rude remarks, pressure, and prohibitions. The Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine conducted a study that showed that every fifth Ukrainian woman suffers from a certain type of violence. This is an annoying statistic. Among these women are women with hearing impairments, it may be even harder for them because they cannot explain their problem without the help of a sign language interpreter, and in some cases do not even know where to turn.
What types of violence are there, and how to recognize the manifestations of violence even in a simple sentence from a loved one?
There are 4 types of violence: physical, economic, sexual, and psychological.
Psychological violence is a way in which an abuser (often a family member) humiliates, insults, and devalues a loved one.
Another common form of psychological violence in the family is consciously ignoring the feelings or needs of family members who need help and protection. Most often, these are children and family members of respectable age (retirees).
Signs of psychological violence:
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verbal insults, humiliation, accusations;
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control of all actions of the victim;
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manipulation, harsh criticism;
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images and obscene language (swearing);
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punishment in the form of ignoring;
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threats to punish, threats to human life and health;
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ban on expressing one's own opinion;
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ban on meeting and communicating with relatives;
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"termination" of the relationship in order to make the person (victim) feel guilty;
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checking phone calls, messages, mailbox, social networks;
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depreciation and general control;
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harassment, intimidation.
Often the victim considers such behavior normal, blaming everything on jealousy or personality traits of the partner. But it should be understood that even jealousy is an indicator of problems in relationships and the presence of psychological problems of the jealous partner.
One of the most important features of psychological violence is its recurrence. If this happens once in your home – rest assured that it will happen again, then – more.
It should also be understood that isolated cases of serious quarrels and conflicts in the family are not psychological violence. Psychological violence has specific features: constant humiliation, threats, and name-calling. In the middle of a quarrel or just during breakfast, when everyone seems to be in a good mood.
You can stop psychological violence in different ways:
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conversation with the offender: perhaps discussing all the details of the relationship between the partners will really change the situation, but in most cases – such a conversation does not solve all the problems that have accumulated;
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rupture of relations.
Contact the police (102) or the 15-47 Domestic Violence Hotline (24 hours a day, free of charge).
The non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" continues to implement the project "Countering Violence against Women with Hearing Impairments" under the program "Barrier Free Ukraine for the Deaf" with the support of the Fund for Social Protection of the Disabled, Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
Contact us through the widget on the website of the non-governmental organization Public Movement "Social Unity" se.org.ua to get advice from a psychologist and a lawyer – a sign language interpreter will help you.
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