Know how gender-based violence is affecting US citizens, data says…
United States: In the United States, gender-based violence stands to be a major problem. This includes domestic violence, assaults, harassment, rape threats, murder, sex trafficking, and several other issues.
The Ballard Brief reported that around 22% of women in the United States undergo violence from their intimate partners during their lifetime. The country has a long history of violence against women. What’s even more concerning is that a major portion of the gender denies seeking any external help. This leads to suffering silently, which impacts the mental health of the sufferers. Out of all problems, rapes and sexual assaults contribute to a major part of violence against women.
What’s the official data?
The World Bank Group’s Gender Data Portal revealed that out of 1000 girls in the United States between the ages of 15 and 19, 13 of them gave birth in the year 2023. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, almost 29% of women in the United States have witnessed rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
A federal law in the United States, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), was passed in 1994. It was done to provide program funding for the prevention of violence against women. It also aids in providing legal protections for the sufferers of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
How does it impact the victims?
The victims who go through gender-based violence can face severe mental and psychological issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. They may even have trouble building new relationships due to carrying long-term traumas. In case of sexual violence, the sufferers can go through pelvic infections and pregnancy outcomes.
News