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What is it called anymore? I’m increasingly hearing about the confusion surrounding the term gender-based violence. Its definition seems to be subjective, subject to the region, country, or government that may be using it.
Gender-based violence, or GBV, is often being used in lieu of domestic violence, the more familiar term for violence perpetrated against a partner or family member. Depending upon who you ask, DV may be an outmoded term, or part of GBV, or different than GBV.
Right now Washington State is considering legislation that could improve services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. I submitted the following testimony to ask that this state not use the term gender-based violence. My rationale is as follows. I invite respectful input and insight in the comments section.
I’ve never been one to jump on the bandwagon because “everyone’s doing it.” A change like this needs to be both logical and compassionate. The term GBV is neither. It just muddies waters that those in the advocacy community have tried to clear up for a very long time.
Remember, as survivors, we have an obligation to help those who might not be in a good position to help themselves. We must speak truth and bring light so that others will hold to hope, find freedom, and achieve justice.
Thank you for the work you are doing to support victims of violence and sexual assault. These crimes affect all classes, ethnicities, and genders of people. For this reason, I am urging extreme caution in regard to the wording of Senate Bills 5355 and 5356. I speak as a survivor, an advocate, and having served many years with a small domestic violence advocacy organization that specialized in educating faith-based institutions.
For years, the term domestic violence was used to describe the horrors that happen in the home. We also heard the term family violence, and then later, intimate partner violence. More recently, organizations both American and European have begun to use the term gender-based violence in their policy and law.
The Council of Europe defines gender-based violence as “any type of harm that is perpetrated against a person or group of people because of their factual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.” The United Nations defines it as violence “…directed at an individual based on their gender… It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms.” However, some organizations, governments, and entities very clearly define gender-based violence as referring solely and exclusively as “violence perpetrated by a man against a woman simply because she is a woman.” Some of those entities and their laws therefore do not consider violence by women against men, or violence against gay or transgender people, as gender-based violence. Yet violence is violence. Assault is assault.
The term gender-based violence is now being used in place of domestic violence, which is confusing to the public at large. It is also tremendously confusing because of its implication that the violence is being committed because of someone’s gender. At the root of violence against partners and family members is power and control. Yes, some people believe they are superior to others, sometimes based on their gender. But we are doing victims a terrible disservice by continuing to pass legislation using a term, gender-based violence, that reinforces a dangerous stereotype. For years men and boys have been confused about whether they qualify as victims of domestic violence, and now we are adding to that confusion by changing the terminology under the guise of inclusiveness when by incorporating the term “gender” at all we are once again excluding victims other than biological women.
The State of Washington does not need to inadvertently perpetuate myths and stereotypes about violence and sexual assault victims by using the narrow term gender-based violence. Instead, we should be doing far more to educate everyone that anyone, regardless of gender, can be a victim. In particular, we need to ensure that men and boys know that they too are just as deserving of assistance and advocacy when they have been victimized. I know men who’ve reported physical violence to the police and been laughed at. I know men who have been terrorized by psychological and/or vicious physical violence for years– but no one in authority would take that seriously. Their abusers have not only gotten away with it but have gone on to hurt other people.
So that ALL victims of violence know that they will be taken seriously and have equal access to resources, I urge you to return to the term domestic violence in legislation and official state documents. Gender-based violence is a term that is discriminatory and difficult to understand, especially because of the various takes on its meaning. Please keep it simple, universal, and accessible. I also ask that you champion the creation of a Washington State Commission for Men so that the full impact of issues like domestic violence against men are understood.
As a woman who has, by legal definition, been assaulted, stalked, bullied, and harassed, I fully understand the importance of standing up for women. There is a lot of work still to be done on behalf of women. But we must also advocate for the men and use terminology that protects them. We will never have a major impact on reducing domestic violence until all voices are heard.
Lastly, I would ask that you give special consideration to domestic violence and sexual assault victims of those who work in law enforcement. They need additional protections that may require special accommodations so they are not forced to report to and trust the same agency that the perpetrator may work at.
Thank you for your time.
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