Saving Faces Summary

Discussing the nature of the issue, violence against women includes females of all ages, race, and socioeconomic status, who are being violated through acts of physical and sexual violence, as well as psychological abuse. It is not just

For many decades, women have experienced all forms of oppression and constant violence that threatened their existence in the male-dominated society. Various forms of discrimination and oppression have been directed to women for decades. Violence directed at women such as rape and battery were seen and treated as isolated scenarios. However, as the need to foster gender equality took pace, such oppressive actions are now perceived as elements of a wider system of dominance in the society that that needs to be addressed as a whole rather than in singularity

This essay will discuss the ways in which gender influences patterns and processes of victimisation, identifying key victimological perspectives and typologies. It will consider key authors in the discipline and offer definitions of terms used. The essay will identify three issues which may impact on gendered victimisation before acknowledging the argument that radical victimology offers a more balanced approach to gendered victimisation than positivist or critical viewpoints.

Throughout history, women have continuously found themselves as the subjects of oppression. Although the treatment of women has drastically changed over time, women are still exposed to much of the violence that exists today. Per the National Organization for Women, “young women, low-income women and some minorities are disproportionately victims of domestic violence and rape” (National Organization for Women, 2016). Women-centered violence is highly prevalent and reoccurring all over the world, even in our local communities. Individuals may be hesitant to consider just how much violence against women affects their communities.

Another negative effect of gender inequality is the increased fear of violence for women. Women are often portrayed as weak and helpless beings that can easily be taken advantage of. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon states that, “Violence against women and girls continues unabated in every continent, country and culture. It takes a devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families and on society as a whole. Most societies prohibit such violence –yet the reality is that too often, it is covered up or tacitly condoned” (Unite to End Violence Againist Women, 2006). Violence against women in the form of rape, spousal abuse, child abuse or spousal killing has become routine behavior over the years, so it rarely even makes the news anymore. “Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, motor accidents, war and malaria, according to World Bank data”( Unite to End Violence Againist Women, 2006). Women are often blamed and questioned about their actions if they become the

In “The Longest War,” Rebecca Solnit discusses the vast amount of violence against women and how violence affects women. To begin with, she provides some stark facts: it is statistically proven the male population is more violent than women (522). Additionally, rape takes place more often than the average person knows. This is problematic because violence derives from the need for power and control. Women cannot simply “get out” of violence because of a man’s desire for power over the situation.

Many women are experiencing violence against them, whether it be physical, mental, or verbal. According to Kirk, Terry, Lokuge, and Watterson, “Violence against women (VAW) is a major issue worldwide, with an estimated 35% of women, or roughly 1 in 3, experiencing either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime” (p. 2). There have been many groups that have been created to combat violence against women. The group I will be focusing on is White Ribbon group. The White Ribbon are the defenders of women.

Mandell argues that regardless of class, race, age, sexual orientation, woman are subject to male violence. Nothing can protect women in a patriarchal society. Violence against women ranges from verbal and physical abuse to sexual abuse, rape, pornography, battering and rape. (Mandell, Fifth Edition) Violence against woman is common and persistent. Thirty years ago, most forms of violence against women were hidden under a cloak of silence or acceptance. SOURCE Although, years later, it became apparent that violence against woman occurs on a massive scale; that no woman is immune. She emphasises that women are targets to be victimized. Men are socialised to objectify woman, legitimate aggression, and blame woman for their own victimization. ‘Where woman dominate, men have to resort to greater use of force to remain dominant’. (Mandell, Fifth Edition) They set the glass just high enough, so women cannot reach to break it, keeping the male in the dominate position.

I am a 38-year-old white American female. Some would argue that there is no better time to a woman in America – we have far more rights and privileges than either our colonial ancestors or women in many third world nations. Yet, even in my lifetime women have achieved milestones like the Violence Against Women Act, originally passed in 1994 but reauthorized and updated in 2013. Females in this country fight battles on many fronts that males, as a group, do not have to deal with on the same level. Women are sexually harassed, assaulted and raped far more than men. I myself have dealt with all three scenarios so far in my 38 years. Sexual harassment, sexual battery, and rape are all social problems that millions of American women face daily.

While the media has brought more attention to movements such as the “Me Too” movement as well as giving victims a voice, it is still very evident that women of color are not treated the same as the white women who have talked about their horrendous events. In the 1900’s , “good” women were middle class white women. “Bad” women were immigrants and racial minorities. Although it had changed over the past few years, media still finds something to point out about minorities to discredit their accomplishments or greatness. When women of color specifically black women speak about injustice people try to point out that they are making their problems a “race thing” rather than focusing on the problem that she is actually addressing. Statistics show that black women have to work two times as harder at everything they do and the injustice and discrimination is prevalent everywhere. Events like these could be labeled as “white feminism” meaning, certain people are only willing to support women who are white or white passing.“In the 1980’s feminism entered mainstream with new levels of community activism…”( Evans, 411). The community involvement of feminists in the 1980’s helped feminists today with organizing events such as the women’s marches held across the nation. Women using their voices and platforms to speak about events have helped other women to feel more comfortable getting involved and coming out about situations that have happened to them in their lives. When the testimony of Anita Hill occured, “the sight of a black woman being grilled by a committee of white men who made light of this “sexual harassment crap” mobilized thousands of women to run for office and contribute to campaigns” ( Evans, 411). In January of 2018, Aly Raisman spoke about her experience with sexual abuse cause by Larry Nassar. Due to Aly and a few

Bayley, like many other guards, treat many of the women in the prison with no respect. He is a privileged kid who doesn't get questioned twice about Poussey's death due to the fact that he is white. Poussey was crushed by the weight of a system that doesn't care about the lives of people like her: Black, female, and gay. To think that anyone would stick up for someone who's a horrible person, just because they share the same skin tone, goes to show the sad truth of today's biased society. As the author stated, “Poussey was a well-educated middle class traveler, but died as many inmates

Women in this society are still unable to gain control over their own lives. They are trapped with the illusion that they should justify the abuse they are receiving from men. Women in this culture do not just face physical and sexual violence, but also psychological, economic and patrimonial violence that these women must overcome. However, in American society, women are much more able to at least point out the injustice they are faced with. Protests and campaigns all over the country are in action to show current administration how many women in America

Many of the violence against men are not recognized because police and hospitals are only trained to look for violence against women (Cook, 2004). If they see a man with a black eye, they think it's because he was in a fight with another man. In fact, it seems that no one wants to hear about male victims. To the public, they are an embarrassment and threaten the validity of the stereotype that the majority of men are violent and aggressive. Sometimes they are blamed for being the victims or the violence against them is justified in a variety of ways (Flor, 1999). As a culture we prefer to make the male victims the subject of humor and banter, not offer them help.

Are women less privileged in today’s society than men? Yes, women face many issues on a regular basis that men don’t experience to the same extent. Women are victim to sexual violence, domestic abuse, and gender bias. Firstly, a very common violation to the human rights of women, is sexual violence and harassment. This is a very extensive topic, covering much more than just sexual assault. Sexual violence covers street harassment, unwanted sexual touching or comments, rape, and consent issues. Secondly, women face domestic abuse very often in today 's society, it is rarely discussed, and it covers physical, sexual, and mental abuse, as well as marital rape. Lastly, the final point to be covered in this essay would be gender bias, gender bias occurs in the workplace, schools, the home, public places, and can be a very disturbing public violation of women 's rights. In conclusion, this essay will be looking into each of these topics in depth, explaining that women are indeed less privileged in today 's society than men.

Women of different races, age groups, and lifestyles have dealt with sexual, physical, and psychological abuses from history until today.