Education 6717 Catherine Tansley July 28th, 2010

Violence Gender and Stereotypes Dating Violence Ecological Model Resources

Violence is an action or lack of action that contributes to the maltreatment or neglect of others. Any harm against a person that violates that persons right to be safe. Centred around exertion and control.

 Cultural
Physical Emotional Financial Sexual Spiritual

According to the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, approximately 71% of youth in Canada report being in a relationship by the age of 15. 51% of Canadian women report having experienced one incident of physical or sexual violence since the age of sixteen. 1 in 4 women will be sexual assaulted. Estimated only 1% of date rapes are reported to police. Only 6% of sexual assaults are reported to police. 78% of attackers are known by the victim prior to the attack. 8 out of 10 female students have been sexually harassed at school. 60% of college aged males indicated they would commit a sexual assault if they were certain they would not be caught. 4 out of 5 female undergraduate students surveyed at Canadian Universities said they had been victims of violence in a dating relationship.

Tension Building Stage

During this phase, the abusive partner becomes increasingly more irritable, jealous, demanding, controlling, and impatient. The victim becomes more agreeable and accommodating as an attempt to keep the peace.

Explosion Stage
An incident occurs, which will be blamed on the victim, triggers the abusers rage; and the victims attempt to calm the abuser fail. This incident may be physically violent and will also involve other types of violence including shouting, belittling and destruction of property.

Honeymoon Stage
The abuser becomes apologetic and loving. They often express signs of love and assures it will never happen again. For a period of time things may be ok and the victim believes the abuser is hopeful that they made a fresh start. The peace that occurs at this stage convinces the victim to stay and that it is worthwhile to continue in the relationship.

When is the Victim most likely to leave?

Usually during the later stages of the tension building stage since they are familiar with the pattern and knows what is coming. When is the Victim least likely to leave? Usually during the Im Sorry phase since this is the time when the abuser is on their best behaviour.

As time progresses in the cycle of violence: -the violent episodes become more frequent and severe -the relationship is characterized by the tension building stage -the Honeymoon stage may disappear altogether and be replaced with apathy on the part of the offender

There are many stereotypes in our society that encourage or normalizes violent acts.

 As

children, girls are allowed and encouraged to express their emotional reactions such as fear and sadness. Their toys are designed for passive play with an emphasis on developing relationships and homemaker skills.
are expected to be more passive, cooperative and dependant. heterosexual families, women are expected to assume the role of nurturer.

Women

In

 As

children, boys are allowed to express anger physically. Their toys are more action oriented. are expected to be strong, independent, aggressive and competitive. heterosexual families, men are expected to be in control of their household and by association, everyone in it.

Men

In

Because a man is brought up to believe that he should always be in control of his life, problems will occur when he is faced with a world that he cannot completely control. When a man is faced with a workplace or community that he cannot control he may feel the need to control something else his partner. Because women are brought up to be passive, to please others, and to avoid confrontation, the woman in the situation will not resist so the man is successful.

Perceptions Quiz

Occurs when a dating or intimate partners actions causes emotional stress on the victim. When the abuser threatens or causes physical harm or forces their partner to engage in sexual acts against their will. The causes that are typically found in the abusers are the desire for power and control.

Difficult to know the prevalence because many youth are not aware it is occurring and do not often disclose emotional abuse to adults. Dating Violence occurs more often in a serious relationships rather than causal ones. Intimate partner violence in the LGBT community is a serious issue that remains unreported and unresearched.

In same-sex relationships it is often dismissed as, boys will be boys or it challenges the myth that women are inherently non violent.
It is not limited to a particular social class, or any single ethnic or racial group. Everyone is at risk.

For a sexual act to be considered legal, the persons involved must agree to have sex. Consent must be willingly given, and the participate must fully understand what they are consenting to. The Legal age of Consent in Newfoundland is 16.
Youth 12 or 13 years of age can only consent to sex if there is less than 2 years age difference between them. Youth 14 or 15 years of age can only consent to sex if there is less than 5 years age difference between them.

Taken from Dating Violence and Consent Newofundland and Labraodor Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre

Dating abuse can surface at a moments notice without prior warning, many times there are significant signals which indicate abuse. These behaviours are recognized as abuse.

 Fear

of the abuser Self blame Minimization of the issue Loyalty or love for the abuser Social or religious stigma Lack of understanding

Dating is a normal part of teen development. Dating is part of the experimentation in which they form their own identity and find out who they are. Two-thirds of adolescent dating violence in a relationship reported that someone else saw the violence that was experienced. Peers have an important role to play in helping other adolescents deal with being victimized. Studies have shown that African American middle school youth report more regularly than youths from other ethnic backgrounds. This may reflect the cultural values around family connections.

Mexican American youths would report less and if they did they would report to their family members, specifically older brothers or fathers. Youth do not often tell adults about dating violence because they feel that someone would get in trouble and that the power would be taken away from them and the adults would take control. There is a fine balance between protecting a victim and supporting the empowerment of adolescents strong developmental thrust towards independence - Weisz and Black, 2009

Dating violence has been found more in rural areas than urban areas. Why do you think this is so?

Causing Pain: Real Stories if Dating Abuse and Violence

This 2006 film is about teen dating abuse and violence shows real teens telling their stories of dating abuse and violence. The film describes how dating abuse and violence starts, how it progresses, how the abuser acts, and how to recognize it.

 Unsure

of what constitutes abuse Unsure how to best intervene Uncomfortable dealing with the victim or abuser Discovering unresolved personal issues or abuse of your own Sometimes finds oneself blaming victim

As illustrated in the model there are biological, social, cultural and economic factors and norms at each layer that may increase mens risk of perpetrating violence and a womans risk of experiencing it. factors include:
Witnessing marital violence or experiencing abuse as a child; having an absent or rejecting father; and substance abuse at the individual level. Marital conflict; male control over family wealth and decisionmaking; and age and education disparities between spouses at the relationship level. Lack of economic opportunities for men; negative influence of social peers; and womens isolation from family and peers at the community level. Social norms granting or tolerating male control over female behaviour; acceptance of violence as a conflict resolution method; concepts of masculinity linked to dominance, honour or aggression; and rigid gender roles at the societal level.

What do you think? Comments and Concerns?

 I have the right to: Ask for a date Refuse a Date Suggest activities on a date Have my limits and values respected To be heard Refuse touch Refuse to lend money Have my own feelings and be able to express them Refuse sex at any time Have friends and space aside from my partner

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Violence Prevention Initiative

http://www.gov.nl.ca/vpi/index.html

Various Presentations and Workshops

Newfoundland Labrador Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre http://www.nlsacpc.com/

The Empowerment Project Curriculum for young women

Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre

Men for Change Healthy Relationships Curriculum

Halifax, Nova Scotia

http://www.m4c.ns.ca/

Lloyd, S. , Emery, B. (2000). The Dark Side of Courtship: Physical and Sexual Aggression. California: Sage Publications.
Sanders, S. (2003). Teen Dating Violence: The Invisible Peril. New York: Peter Laing. Weisz,A., Black,B. Help Seeking and Help -Giving for Teen Dating Violence. The Prevention Researcher. 16(1) 2009:12-16. Web. 24 July 2010. Weisz, A., Black, B. (2009) Programs to Reduce Teen Dating Violence & Sexual Assault. New York: Columbia Press University. Violence Awareness & Action Training, Participants Guide. Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador. May 2010. http://www.ageofconsent.com/canada.htm http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ncfv-cnivf/publications/femdatfreq-eng.php