– Commissioner Radzik

THERE is need for the establishment of survivor support groups to offer victims of domestic violence a safe space, according to Women and Gender Equality Commissioner, Vanda Radzik.
Radzik said such groups will help victims to grow from their past abusive situations.
“If there are more supportive bases for survivors, then their chances are increased for having a period of time, just like when they’re in the safe house; survivors of gender-based violence or domestic violence that are within a community that can meet or speak … to give support and guidance from the position of having been a victim and survivor of domestic violence,” she said during a recent interview.

It is Commissioner Radzik’s belief that survivors should be able to access financial aid or assistance that can be used to aid them in creating a sense of financial independence; to increase their self-esteem, and to help them care for their children.

She explained that domestic violence is most prevalent among marginalised and vulnerable groups of women.

“Assistance should be offered to poor women; marginalised women and vulnerable women that don’t have the financial resources to move and easily break the cycle of abuse,” she expressed.

Furthermore, it is also the belief of the Women and Gender Equality Commission that the government should utilise a large portion of the profit expected to be generated from the oil-and-gas sector towards the development of the country’s human resources.

According to the Indian Journal of Community Medicine, in an article titled, “Addressing Domestic Violence Against Women: An Unfinished Agenda”, domestic violence is defined as the power misused by one adult in a relationship to control another. It is the establishment of control and fear in a relationship through violence and other forms of abuse. This violence can take the form of physical assault, psychological abuse, social abuse, financial abuse, or sexual assault. The frequency of the violence can be on and off, occasional or chronic.

The article also notes that domestic violence is a global issue reaching across national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, racial and class distinctions. This problem is not only widely dispersed geographically, but its incidence is also extensive, making it a typical and accepted behavior. Domestic violence is widespread; deeply ingrained, and has serious impacts on women’s health and well-being. Its continued existence is morally indefensible; its cost to individuals, to health systems and to society is enormous, yet no other major problem of public health has been so widely ignored, and so little understood.

Additionally, the 25th of November has been dedicated by the United Nations as the “International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women”.