Talking about domestic violence: A handbook for ... - Engagingmen.net

Session plans for
talking about domestic violence
Topic
Session 1: Definition and types of
domestic violence
Session 2: Behaviours and attitudes
that can increase incidents of
domestic violence
Session 3: The impact of
domestic violence
Key points
• Domestic violence is a dispute that occurs between a husband
and wife, a father or mother and his/her dependent children,
or a man or woman and any other person living under the same
roof or household.
• Domestic violence includes physical violence, sexual violence,
psychological violence (including insults, threats and solitary
confinement) and economic abuses committed by one or more
persons on another person or persons living in a family.
• People often blame being drunk for their violent behaviour.
But while alcohol consumption, gambling and feelings of
powerlessness are factors that increase levels of violence;
they are not the cause of domestic violence.
• Some people believe that men are allowed to control women.
This can lead to violence. There are Khmer social customs that
make people believe that men are in charge of women and
that men have greater value than women. However, men and
women are equal and have the same rights.
• The impact of domestic violence can be severe. Apart from injury
and pain, victims can also suffer economic losses. Domestic
violence causes serious consequences for women’s health and
well being, ranging from anxiety to physical illness. Victims may
fear for their lives and the lives of their family members. Such
fear affects confidence, sense of safety, and the ability to think
clearly and to solve problems or plan for the future.
• Domestic violence is of public concern and has a negative
impact on family members, including children, victims, others
in the household and the perpetrators themselves. It also has a
negative impact on communities and the broader society.
Talking about Domestic Violence
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