Violence against women is everywhere: at home, outside and online

Today, on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the issue is receiving more attention. And that is also necessary.

Corona made 2020 a difficult year in many ways. But today, on International Day of Violence Against Women, this aspect is being increasingly discussed. This is also important because violence against women is – unfortunately – still something very commonplace.

It would be a mistake to think that violence against women is a symptom of the Corona crisis, because it has always been there. Even in the most extreme cases: DW reports on the increasing number of femicides in Germany; every third day a woman dies at the hands of a partner or ex-partner.

But this year in particular, domestic violence has continued to increase. In Germany, the police had already recorded a sharp increase in violent crimes against women in some federal states at this point in the year.

In Austria, one in five women has been affected by domestic violence. The Corona crisis also made the situation worse for those affected, as they were often forced into a small space with their attacker. According to ORF, consultations have already increased by 25 percent in this crisis year.

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But violence is not only rampant at home, it is also rampant online

Here we often talk about so-called cyber violence. The control over a woman is extended to the network. This can include someone, e.g. your partner, having passwords for your smartphone or computer, being able to monitor messages, but it also includes constant calls and letters. Illegally posting nude photos on the Internet and even revenge porn are also means of cyber violence. We recently reported on software that creates fake nude photos of women.

Importantly, even in the case of cyber violence, women can contact a telephone helpline or the police and ask for support!

But verbal hostility is also violence

The D21 initiative Digital Life study , which examined violence on the Internet with regard to gender differences and role models. The researchers found that nine percent of all women encounter hostility online and twelve percent of men. But the intensity of the verbal attacks differs: 32 percent of women feel very hurt, compared to nine percent of men.

D21 President Hannes Schwaderer said on the occasion of the study: “When it comes to violence against women, we must also look into the digital space: When women express themselves publicly here, they experience significantly increased levels of sexualized violence and hostility. As a result, some of them withdraw and prefer to stay out of discussions - this is also aptly known as silencing.

Fortunately, some initiatives are fighting

For example, the global initiative “16 Days Against Violence Against Women,” which runs from November 25th to December 10th, International Human Rights Day. launched in 1991 by the Center for Women's Global Leadership in Germany , Switzerland and Austria in this initiative with campaigns and symposiums Public buildings, among other things, should light up in orange, the campaign color, for the next 16 days.

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But it needs more attention

Precisely because violence against women physically, mentally or verbally is something everyday, it should not become normal. Attention on a day like today helps, but there needs to be more of it.

If you are affected by physical and/or mental violence, you can call the police or contact these offices at any time:

In Germany:

The helpline: 08000 116 016

In Austria:

Women's Helpline: 0800 222 555

In Switzerland:

Women's emergency telephone: 052 213 61 61