Role of Media in Creating Awareness about the Need for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Women Victims of Violence

The article 'Role of Media in Creating Awareness about the Need for Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Women Victims of Violence' includes the study of domestic violence from a broader perspective. The article describes the meaning of violence against women, its effects, challenges faced by women who are a victim of such violence, the present scenario of India and the World, which regulates violence against women in India and the world and how the media may have a major impact in creating awareness about domestic violence and reducing the domestic violence.

More than a quarter of women may be victims of domestic abuse, which is a widespread issue. It is a challenging field to research as it often concentrates on chosen populations and has various designs, making comparison challenging. 

Introduction

Humans now live in what is referred to as a democratic and civilized society, one that is built on the tenets of freedom and equality for all. It immediately leads to the rejection of gender discrimination as a general principle. As a result, several international human rights standards support the need for equal treatment for women and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against them. Women's Year, the Women’s Decade, and other events are celebrated, which has increased public awareness of and sensitivity to women's rights. The government makes several efforts to advance women's position and realize their rights through a variety of policies and projects. However, despite all of the efforts, The fundamental problem of gender-based domestic abuse threatens and jeopardizes the very existence of women.

Domestic Violence is a basic practice that practically all of the world's nations, whether developed or developing, except as an integral component of the sociocultural environment of every civilization. As a result, it wasn't considered to be improper or odd.

Unfortunately, in our country community's economic status, spiritual, and ethnic structures—as well as the family system that exists within them—can be seen as a male-dominated organization that accepts and even exalt violence against women and unfair gender treatment from an early age.

Meaning of Domestic Violence

Domestic abuse is a pattern of conduct used in any sort of relationship to gain or maintain control over an intimate companion. It is often referred to as "domestic violence" or "intimate partner violence." Any unwanted conduct or threat of action that negatively affects another person, whether it is physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or psychic abuse. This covers all behaviours that frighten, intimidate, hurt, demean, blame, harm, or damage another individual. Domestic abuse may affect everyone, regardless of race, age, sexual preference, religion, or gender. Numerous couples, including married, cohabiting, and dating couples, might experience it. Domestic abuse affects people from all socio-economic and educational levels.

Causes of Domestic Violence

The causes of violence against women are the subject of many misconceptions. Numerous urban myths exist, including the following:

Men encounter equal, if not higher, levels of violence from their relationships or past partners than women do. Men are unable to manage their anger or sexual cravings. Men are aggressive because of drinking.

The following elements are fundamental causes of violence against women, according to research:

Men and women are not treated equally in terms of wealth and influence, and gender stereotypes and identities—that is, what it means to be male and female—are firmly upheld.

It is well established that how individuals, organizations, and communities react to violence is significantly influenced by the ideas that support or embrace violence. Based on research, VicHealth has identified five major kinds of attitudes that encourage violence. They include the following arguments in favour of violence against women and the idea that it is acceptable for a male to harm a woman.

1. Justify violence against women by stating that it is okay for a male to hurt a woman.
2. Excuse violence by placing the blame for it on external factors, such as stress, or by stating that men cannot be held fully responsible for their conduct, such as when they act out of anger or are motivated by sexual cravings.
3. Trivialize the effects of violence based on the belief that these effects are not severe enough to need action by women individually, the community, or government authorities.
4. Make women at least somewhat responsible for their victimization or for avoiding victimization, or shift responsibility for the violence from the attacker to the victim.

Effects of Domestic Violence

1) Health

Numerous studies have conclusively shown how domestic violence affects women's physical and emotional health. Women may have bruises, burns, lacerations, cuts, fractured bones, or more severe wounds that result in impairment in the near term. Domestic abuse does not always involve contact with force; in fact, many women who encounter it never experience wounds or injuries of any kind. The repercussions may be just as serious and for a long time as physical abuse and can take numerous other forms, including the risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.

Physical Health

Traumatic stress's long-term impacts may result in persistent bodily issues throughout your life. Being exposed to or experiencing trauma increases the chance of:

1. Cardiovascular illness
2. Hypertension or atherosclerosis
3. Intestinal Disorder
4. Diabetes Arthritis
5. Obesity
6. HIV and AIDS

Mental Health

Additionally, domestic violence victims report greater levels of:

1) Depression

2) Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one example of an anxiety and stress condition

3) Disorders of Eating

4) A Low Sense of Self

5) Efforts of Suicide and Self-Harm

2) Poverty

We are well aware of the intricate connections between domestic violence and poverty. Due to the costs of the abuse they experience, including medical bills, payments for housing or mortgages, and court fees, women may become impoverished. Consequently, impoverished circumstances make it even more challenging to cease domestic abuse and deal with its effects.

3) Homelessness

Women and children who have survived domestic violence face a serious risk of becoming homeless. If a woman decides the violence cannot continue, she might not have much of an option but to leave her home. Unfortunately, when there aren't many resources for support, women may have to decide between leaving an abusive situation and running the risk of becoming homeless.

4) Impact on Children

Domestic violence in the home can have profound impacts on children. Children may sense maltreatment even if they cannot physically see it. They could see their mother's bruises or hear a quarrel breaking out. They could also notice the fights among their parents, which frightens and confuses them.

Studies show that young children who witness domestic violence are up to 15 times more likely to suffer from assaults of any kind than kids who don't.

5) Economic impact

Domestic abuse has a big influence on the economy. The costs of providing direct aid to women who are assaulted and their children come first. Among them are social services and hospitals.

Why can Women in India not live alone after constant Domestic Violence also?

The educated housewife claims that she first protested whenever her husband hit her. However, she now believes that living with a husband—regardless of how he is—is preferable to living alone because single women in a nation like India suffer harsher fates. Socialization practices guarantee that male values will continue to predominate over feminine ones.

Women have been discovered to be the victims of degrading treatment and other sorts of horrors within the family, which eventually reach their worst expression when women begin to defend their degrading treatment. The same is acknowledged by psychiatrist Prabhat Shithole according to him, "It’s a kind of disorder when a person loses her self-esteem to the point where She begins defending her humiliation." There is no cure other than counselling and raising people's understanding of their rights. Domestic abuse of women is frequently seen as a structural problem.

Glimpse of India

The socio-legal system is now designed to fail victims of domestic abuse because of weakened legislation, male-dominated and discriminatory interpretation of the law, judicial denial of the seriousness of domestic violence, crimes against women, and low work among women. In 2020–21, women registered 20,309 complaints to the National Commission of Women, a 25.09% increase from the previous year.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Unfortunately, violence against women is common in Indian culture. The system of patriarchy in India made it acceptable to mistreat women. Domestic violence may arise for a variety of reasons. From a feminist perspective, it may be argued that the patriarchal structure, gender stereotypes, and the allocation of power, whether actual or perceived, in society all contribute to the frequency of domestic violence against women. This concept holds that males are more powerful than women.

They have control over women and their lives, and because of this dynamic of power, they may abuse women without suffering any repercussions. It is the woman's responsibility to accept her "destiny" and the violence directed at her with humility.

The Act, in principle, does a lot to safeguard women in home settings and is a critical first step in eradicating the questionable public/private divide that has traditionally been supported in the law and has been vigorously disputed by feminists. Undoubtedly, in incidents of domestic abuse, women may previously file a court complaint under the IPC. However, this Act's reach is broader than the IPC due to the types of domestic abuse it considers and the victims it recognizes. The IPC never referred to this offensive behaviour as domestic violence. In reality, the IPC only addressed one related category of offences: cruelty to married women. Without regard to the victim's gender, any other occurrences of violence against women inside the home had to be prosecuted as separate crimes that the violent actions were covered by the IPC.

This was difficult, especially if the victims were children or dependent women. Even if the victim was the attacker's wife and had legal options, she would likely need to leave her marital home to ensure her safety or run the danger of facing additional violent retaliation. Nothing was in place to allow her to stay in her married home and speak out against the mistreatment she was experiencing. The enactment of this legislation was prompted by this and several other problems impacting women at home. Regulation of domestic abuse is governed by.

Section 3 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act says: 

any act, omission or commission or conduct of the respondent shall constitute domestic violence in case it—

(a) harms or injures or endangers the health, safety, life, limb or well‑being, whether mental or physical, of the aggrieved person or tends to do so and includes causing physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal and emotional abuse and economic abuse; or

(b) harasses, harms, injures or endangers the aggrieved person with a view to coerce her or any other person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any dowry or other property or valuable security; or

(c) has the effect of threatening the aggrieved person or any person related to her by any conduct mentioned in clause (a) or clause (b); or

(d) otherwise injures or causes harm, whether physical or mental, to the aggrieved person.

Essentials for the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence

1) Demonstrate that violence against women is a crime that requires legal punishment.

2) Allow victims of domestic violence a defence when these types of crimes are carried out.

3) Provide the victim with justice in a prompt, inexpensive, and efficient way.

4) Prevent Violence against women and react effectively if it occurs.

5) Design initiatives and programs that are suitable for domestic violence victims and assure their healing.

6) To enhance societal understanding of domestic abuse.

7) Enforce harsh punishments and hold those culpable responsible for carrying out such wicked acts of cruelty.

8) To implement domestic violence prevention laws that are administered by international standards

Domestic Violence Act of 2005 Legislative Purpose

According to reports, the purpose of establishing such an Act was to protect the women's rights who become the targets of abuse of any sort that occurs inside the family. This rule prevents women from being assaulted within their own four walls.

According to the Court in the case of Vandhana v. T. Srikanth (2007),

"Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act is a law that aims to more effectively safeguard the constitutionally given rights of women who experience domestic abuse of any form, as well as any issues that may emerge in connection with or as a result of such violence."

The Drawback of the aforesaid Act

The Act might effectively defend women's rights in the home and protect them from domestic abuse. First and foremost, it is vital and, in fact, laudable in a patriarchal culture to acknowledge domestic abuse as something abhorrent, even though it has become just another societal norm. After acknowledging women's rights and their violations, the next step is to provide creative and effective solutions to uphold those rights. The Act has been conceptualized admirably thus far.

The authors believe that the Act's disregard for male offspring is one issue that must be addressed. Male children are not covered by the Act's protection, despite certain interpretations to the contrary, in the authors' view.

A woman who is or has been a domestic partner with the defendant is considered an aggrieved person under the Act. The sole relevant clause when a kid is mentioned allows a magistrate to make a protective order preventing the respondent from going to the child's school when the victim is a minor. The definition of a child under the Act is any person under the age of eighteen, yet the definition of domestic violence explicitly excludes minors from consideration at any stage and only relates to an injured party. According to the writers, there is not enough support for expanding the Act's application to male minors.

One may argue that the Act was explicitly established to accommodate the needs of girls, not males. After all, the Act's name alone suggests that it was created to protect women's rights. Although women generally experience domestic violence—whether they are partners, mothers, sisters, or daughters—it may sometimes affect male children. To claim that male children shouldn't get widely available protection from domestic abuse only because of their gender sounds like a lame justification. 

t is a fact that even though other forms of violence may be addressed by the IPC, sexual abuse of male children cannot be. (though this scarcely appears to be the case). The charge of rape as handled by the IPC was suggested to be presented in gender-neutral language to allow the protection to be offered to male minors as well, among other things referencing the Sakshi case and the Law Commission of India, 172nd Report. Given the rising number of cases of both male and female youngsters being sexually abused, this was essential. Once it is acknowledged that male and female child sexual abuse affects both equally, it must be acknowledged that male and female children must also be safeguarded from such abuse in the "private" domain. Male children should not get protection from marital abuse, it would seem on the surface.

United Nations on Crime Against Women

The United Nations has made numerous conventions, treaties, and declarations that guarantee equal rights for all people while protecting women from violence and atrocities against them that have occurred since the beginning of time and are unnatural and heinous crimes against women. The United Nations spread awareness that domestic violence against women must be treated as a crime rather than a private concern or a component of culture and tradition. By drafting signatories in this fashion, the numerous U.N. Drafts, Treaties, and Declarations significantly changed the state's patriarchal nature.

The United Nations has been attempting to raise awareness of the persistent discrimination against women since its founding in 1945 and the passage of its charter. The charter's introduction and four separate provisions very effectively connected women's rights with human rights.

The aforementioned provision has provided a theoretical framework for the global movement to uphold women's human rights. Due in great part to the U.N. Charter, states that are U.N. members have also declared their support for basic human rights and gender equality.

Separate provisions of the UN charter mandate that nations uphold equality and anti-discrimination for women principles. United Nations declares that "the United Nations will not place any restrictions on men and women's suitability for depiction in any position and guarantee equal treatment in its major and subsidiary organs. Its primary objective is to encourage and support maintaining the rights of humanity and vital liberty for all, without distinction based on sex or other factors.

Because it was the first global accord to promote human rights and basic freedoms for everyone without sex- or gender-based discrimination, the foundation of the United Nations in 1945 and the adoption of the U.N. Charter may therefore be considered as being beneficial for women.

The United Nations General Assembly enacted and proclaimed the on December 10, 1948, to attain universal esteem for women's rights and other basic human rights. This document is frequently referred to as the "Magna Carta" of Human Rights. Almost all fundamental human rights, regardless of gender, were included in this declaration. A common standard of success for all peoples and countries, according to its preamble."

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

This explicitly mentions women's equality and dignity while also stating that

"All individuals are free and have the right to identical rights from birth. No discrimination of any type, including race or ethnicity, sex, the use of language, political or intellectual viewpoint, is made in the enjoyment of any of the rights and freedoms set out in this Declaration."

It also rejects the practice of discrimination and restrictions based on sexual orientation.

Therefore, the UDHR, which has become recognized as customary international law, played a significant part in eradicating human discrimination. It is the root cause of all crimes and acts of violence against women.

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

A historic agreement addressing gender inequity came into effect in 1981. As the first human rights agreement that specifically addressed women, it is a crucial instrument in the fight for women's equality on both the national and international levels. However, CEDAW does not include violence. In actuality, there is no mention of "violence" whatsoever in the treaty language.

In addition to addressing all types of sexual assault against women, the agreement reiterates the need to ensure that men and women have the same political and civic rights. Additionally, it condemns any prejudice against them in any way. Regardless of their marital status, women shall have equal political, economic, social, cultural, and civic rights, according to CEDAW.

The fact that CEDAW is now regarded as "an International Bill of Rights for Women" is the largest advantage. It included the first comprehensive description of gender discrimination in an international human rights agreement. It also targeted cultures and traditions for discrimination and reiterated the reproductive rights of women.

CEDAW published a thorough proposal on violence against women in 1992 to remedy the omission. It highlighted how systematic, pervasive, and a result of conventional home behaviours, violence against women and girls was an issue that was firmly positioned on the global stage. (previously, domestic violence was considered a private matter). The UN Special Rapporteur on Abuse Against Women, whose major responsibility is to combat this abuse, was also appointed as a consequence of it.

Because state parties have agreed to pass all necessary laws and extraordinary short-term measures to guarantee that women may enjoy all of their basic rights and human freedoms, the CEDAW has had a positive impact. A successful effect of CEDAW was that state parties agreed to take the required measures against violence and other forms of their exploitation. They also decided to change the customs, practices, and attitudes that restrict women's independence. The nations that have signed the convention have also promised to submit national reports every four years, at the very least detailing the initiatives they have made to improve women's development.

In a nutshell, it can be claimed that the United Nations' attempts to end widespread discrimination against women, whether through the ratification of different treaties, declarations, conventions, conferences, or other ways, resulted in raising public awareness of the issues facing women.

United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993. All types of interpersonal and social violence, including bodily, sexual, and mental abuse, are included in the declaration.

As of right now, the UN Declaration has taken into account the following definition of violence against women:

Any act of violence against women, whether committed in public or privately, that harms women physically, sexually, or psychologically, including threats of such behaviour, compulsion, or wilfully restricting someone's freedom.

Three types of violence against women are recognized by the Declaration as well:

1. Violence against women by the State, even while they are in jail or taking part in the battle, is violence against women.
2. Peripheral violence includes acts of rape, sexual assault, trafficking of women and girls, and workplace intimidation.
3. Family violence and private-sector violence, such as incest and selective abortions.

It describes the historical background of these gender-based violations against women in conformity with the Declaration. Accordingly, these crimes against women are caused by the varied dynamics of how power is distributed in society. In this patriarchal situation, the many social positions assigned women to be subordinated, allowing society to treat them unfairly. Women struggled to have an equal voice as society developed, and as a result, violence against them is a key social mechanism that makes women feel inferior to males.

The proclamation also calls on member nations of the UN to denounce gender-based violence against women and push for the implementation of preventative measures to stop such crimes at their source and make the world a safe place for women to live.

As specified calls on States to implement national law that prohibits discrimination. By the convention, State parties may take temporary special measures to ensure and expedite the attainment of gender equality in practice without discrimination. It outlines the obligation to take action, even if it means changing social and cultural norms that contribute to discrimination. Contracts and other private documents signed by individuals that restrict women's legal rights "shall be deemed null and void." The previous need for equal access to education at any age is also covered.

Additionally, the CEDAW calls on State parties to act responsibly and take the necessary steps to end prejudice in aspects of marriage and family. The same duties of men and women in the framework of family life are highlighted in Article 16. According to Article 11, the Convention must also emphasize the urgent need for childcare and women's reproductive health care, and in addition to their commitments at work and their legal right to engage in public life, women will be able to complete their family obligations with the help of additional social services.

According to CEDAW mandates that service for family planning is also available to women as other non-discriminatory health care. Special provisions are included and are intended to address issues that affect women from rural areas, along with human trafficking and other types of sexual exploitation of women.

States have expressed a variety of reservations with CEDAW, including the idea that it seeks to restrict the treaty's domestic applicability in some way. Most reservations are made to defend the legality of national or religious laws that could be in contradiction with CEDAW or to have the State disengage from the Article 29 arbitration provision. CEDAW is the human rights agreement that most comprehensively covers the rights of women.

Role of United Nation

Additionally, efforts are undertaken to raise awareness among people all around the world that exploiting women is wrong, whether it takes place outdoors or inside the four walls of a home. One strategy for raising awareness is designating March 8 as "International Women's Day" to address social injustice and violence against women. "International Day Against Violence Against Women" is observed on November 25. Similarly to this, 1975 has been designated as the "International Year for Women." The years 1975 to 1985 were designated as the "International Decade for Strengthening for Women's Rights." They are all, therefore, tools for raising public awareness of women's issues.

Given this, it can be claimed that the U.N. significantly contributed to the advancement of the concepts of gender equality and women's rights.

The idea of women's protection, equality, and freedom from violence has always been acknowledged, even if the UN only recognized domestic abuse as a grave danger to women's safety and a violation of human rights in 1993.

Role of Media in Reducing Domestic Violence

As Media is considered the fourth pillar of democracy, and the controversial fourth pillar can effortlessly be spotted by its actions regarding preventing crime against women. The media has the power to either normalize or combat attitudes and practices that contribute to the normalization of violence against women. Every day hyper-sexualized, one-dimensional pictures of overt violence against women and girls can all find an outlet in the new media.

Cyberstalking and the dissemination of sexually explicit photos of women are just two examples of the kinds of direct attacks that can be persisted in virtual settings. An expert assessment presented to the Commission on the Status of Women revealed a disturbing trend: more and more women are reporting that video of themselves engaging in sexual activity, including rape, has been posted online without their permission.

The faults and abuses in society should be exposed by the media, which will make their job even more successful. Gender-based violence must be made more widely known in the media. Several females have gone so far as to assert that how rape or other forms of violence are shown in the media is equal to a second attack that never ceased due to the media's callousness in using photographs, exposing names, and other intrusions of privacy. Women's violence has frequently been sensationalized, exploited, and the frequency of the problem hasn't been seriously examined in the news coverage.

Sexual assault and domestic violence have, however, started to shift in terms of media attention and representation. Nevertheless, these issues still exist in the world. Also necessary is accurate media coverage of crimes against women. While certain media outlets can be commended for continuing to reflect sensitive, varied, and egalitarian imagery, others still employ images that convey negative connotations. Even now, items are still sold using the bodies of women as objects. The mistreatment of women by a predominately male culture should be brought up in the media. For victims of violence against women to be able to defend themselves, it is important to raise awareness of their rights through the media.

Based on data from demographic and health surveys, a multi-country study examining domestic violence in nine developing nations reveals high rates of domestic violence in all cases and notes that more than 40% of women in several countries report experiencing abuse from their spouses or intimate partners. In conclusion, Zambia (48%), Colombia (44%), and Peru (42%) had the largest percentage of ever-married women who reported spousal physical or sexual abuse, while Cambodia (18%), India (19%), and the Dominican Republic (22%), had the lowest percentage. In Egypt (34%), Nicaragua (30%), and Haiti (29%), around one in three women reported such violence. Contrary to popular belief, moderately prosperous households tend to experience higher rates of violence than the poorest households in most nations. Women are more vulnerable at home and to know men—typically, family members or spouses—who pose a risk to them.

According to recent research, one in three women continues to experience abuse at home and elsewhere because of a lack of protection from governments around the world. According to Amnesty, millions of women worldwide suffer abuse, rape, murder, assault, and even mutilation solely because they are female. According to a report based on 50 surveys completed worldwide, one in three women at least experiences significant assault. It's in our hands - Stop Violence Against Women is a 122-page study emphasising how violence against women comes from all sides, including the community, armed groups, the government, and even one's family. A variety of violent acts.

Media coverage of the topic of violence against women is important, as is the potential for media to be utilized as a tool to assist activists and governments in bringing attention to and implementing programs on this subject. Media should also present strategies for preventing violence.

Because it shows how powerful and quick the media is as a means of disseminating information, it is useful to understand how the media spreads following an occurrence of domestic violence. Even though the study's focus is exclusively on the issue of violence against women, the same principles may be extended to other topics relating to women's health that demand worldwide attention, such as how the media can be utilized to enlighten society and drive social change. The necessity of involving the media in achieving one's goals must be understood by those wishing to raise public awareness, as evidenced by this study's findings about the impact of the media.

The media has its limitations, even though it is a rapid way to raise awareness. The variation in the information presented is one such restriction that our study evaluated. Despite having the same subject, media reports had a very diverse range of information. High heterogeneity was also revealed in the investigation of their sources of information. Media sources have played a crucial role in the growth of this particular social movement, even though their content is not fully varied. This information can be useful in the future when social movements centred around women's health issues arise.

Power of Media in Today’s World

In Asia, media consumption, particularly on social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and blogging platforms, has ingrained itself into the everyday lives of millions of people. Asia has the most internet users (1,076,000,000 as of June 2012), accounting for 45% of all internet users globally. Asia has the largest and most rapidly increasing number of social network users globally, particularly among young people, despite having just a 28 per cent internet penetration rate.

Around the globe, social movements have been fuelled by social media usage. Social media has been shown to boost social actors' potential to challenge and change societal power systems by offering spaces for debate, reflection, persuasion, and crowdsourcing.

Three campaigns funded by the Partners for Prevention regional project "Engaging Young Men Through Social Media for the Prevention of Violence Against Women," which aimed at motivating young people to take steps to stop violence against women, have provided valuable insights into how to effectively use social media to engage young people in efforts to stop violence against women. (VAW).

The "Love Journey" campaign was led by Peace and Development Viet Nam (PYD), a Spanish NGO in Hanoi, Vietnam; the "Must Bol" campaign was led by Community the Youth Collective (CYC), a youth NGO from Delhi, India; and the "17 Man" campaign was led by Eastern Campus, a public relations agency in Beijing, China, under the direction of UN Women China.

The three social media initiatives that were launched in China, Viet Nam, and India served as the basis for this publication's best practices and lessons learned.

In addition to explaining how social media may be used as a tool in an extensive communication plan for the avoidance of violence against women, this research study attempts to show how these technologies fit within the range of initiatives that focus on VAW prevention. These campaigns form the basis of it.

In this research paper, the major components of every effort are reviewed, technical lessons on the use of social media tools are compiled, and a summary of how social media tools can promote successful interventions for violence prevention using social media tools is provided.

It investigates whether spreading messages via social media is sufficient to achieve Violence Against Women prevention goals, how social media technologies might be utilized to effect change, and how we can tell when such changes have occurred.

Following are a few guidelines for preventing violence against women-

• Prioritizing the protection and assistance of men and women who have been the victims of violence
• Any work in the field of violence against women continues to put women and men who have experienced abuse first.
• Before starting any efforts to stop violence, learn about the current local response system that works well for women and how your activity may be coordinated and in conjunction with it.
• Commitment to human rights and gender equity, and everyone is free from violence.
• The fight against violence against women must continue to be firmly founded in feminist and human rights ideals if we are to ensure that everyone has access to human rights, especially freedom from abuse.

Information and Creativity

Although the study of protection against violence against women is still in its infancy, we now have more information on the strategies that can be used to halt violence before it even begins. It is possible to scale up and support more effective programs, policies, communication strategies, and research methodologies using this knowledge, but it must be matched with the creation of new, novel ideas.

Morality and Security

The greatest level of dedication to moral and safety norms must be made while conducting research, programming, and communicating about a delicate problem like VAW. To accomplish the overall goals of work on preventing violence against women in a strict, efficient manner. Team members, partners, funders, and other interested actors must communicate clearly and adhere to these criteria.

Vision for the future

A long-term goal is to stop violence against women and create fair and peaceful societies. The outcomes of a single research study and typical project life cycles cannot have a lasting impact. Instead, strengthening one's capacity for serious work in reducing violence, working with numerous industries and stakeholders, and assuring actors' long-term commitment would all help violence prevention initiatives.

Working with Media

Several ethical factors need to be taken into account when dealing with media, whether you're using traditional media or social media in your campaign:

• The confidentiality of all participants and the guiding principle of "no harm" must be maintained in any presentation of information, analysis, or comments from people who have participated in or witnessed acts of violence.
• Unless a person directly consents to be identified, you should avoid using their true names.
• When presenting research results, use caution to ensure the data is sufficiently agglomerated to guarantee that no particular group of people or community may be identified. When case study results are released, sufficient detail should be changed to make identifying the information's source impossible.
• When study findings are used, they must be presented in a rigorous scientific way. It is important to emphasize how widespread Violence Against Women is and how it affects people from all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds. It is essential to take extra care to prevent findings from being applied to label one environment or ethnic group as "worse" than another.
• Unless someone has explicit consent, you should replace names and remove any other identifying information from visual depictions.
• If their identity is utilized, however, they must still be safeguarded from danger and given help in the event of stigma or retaliation. It is permitted to use an interviewer or interviewee's name and/or recognizable photo in some circumstances.
• Avoid using symbols to allude to or identify women's shelters, counselling centres, etc. Work with the photographers to create photos that don't unjustly single out victims of violence and that don't reveal the identities of those who have been interviewed but want to remain anonymous.

Role of the Internet in the Fight against Domestic Violence 

All measures to avert violence from the beginning are referred to as primary prevention.

A comprehensive strategy for reducing violence and fostering nonviolence and peace-making includes both response and primary prevention. The first line of defence focuses on finding and addressing the causes of violence to lessen the possibility that it will happen in the first place, while reaction often refers to actions taken to assist and protect those who are subjected to violence.

What social media can and can't achieve in terms of efforts or reactions to stop violence against women

What can be done to reduce violence against women via social media? The three social media efforts from India, China, and Vietnam that are the subject of this article's analysis highlight how social media may be utilized in communications campaigns to stop violence against women. Social media was a crucial instrument in Vietnam's "Love Journey" campaign, which utilized it as its main marketing weapon. The "17 Man" campaign in China supported a more conventional campaign anchored in traditional media and live events using social media.

Regardless of the outcomes of any campaign, the notion that social media can only be one element of the variety of interventions needed to prevent violence against women must be taken into account. The three campaigns found that social media may be an effective way to mobilize teenagers, encourage discussion and reflection on significant problems, provide an example of excellent behaviour, and point target audiences in the direction of positive alternatives. Each of the three programs resulted in varying degrees of awareness, attitudinal, behavioural, and/or social norm change. There was, however, no evidence that social media could reverse decades of gender socialization on its own. Instead, it could serve as the impetus for such adjustments. Interpersonal contacts make it simpler to modify habits or attitudes.

Social media can therefore be a very effective instrument to promote change when used in conjunction with other interventions. Social media can aid in the general objective of preventing violence against women in this way.

The three campaigns came to the following conclusion on best practices. Their planning and execution both require several factors to be taken into consideration. The following are some examples of these concepts:

• Engagement that leads to action. For people to take action, you need to give them a cause;

• Outputs that need virality: Virality is necessary for the success of social media marketing campaigns. Going "viral" describes how information spreads over social media platforms from user to user. Being viral requires participants to include others in the effort.

• Reward, recognition, and influence: What do people gain?

The term "going viral" describes how information travels from one person to another.

The aforementioned three components make up a "classic social media campaign," which has the highest potential of producing results. Successful social media advertisements also revolve around an occasion and often include some humour.

Other good practices that arose as a result of the three campaigns include the following:

1) It was determined that one crucial to success is building a local community that feels attached to the initiative as the initial phase, then collaborating with this group of people to recruit more members in real life and digitally.

2) The development of internet pursuits that are not just enjoyable and simple but also foster a sense of intimacy and arouse the audience members' emotions. As well as teaching and modelling appropriate gender-equitable behaviours, holding online conversations about good techniques was to use current attitudes and practices on gender roles, equal treatment, dignity, and positive connections.

3) Incentives such as possibilities for capacity development and recognition, in addition to cash benefits, were utilized to successfully engage audiences.

The insights discovered as a result of these initiatives have brought attention to the shortcomings of social media as a tool for stopping violent online behaviour. This relates to the fact that independently run online promotional efforts are less effective, and face-to-face and on-the-ground operations are more effective in concluding there It can be challenging to understand and accurately measure the influence that interactions on social media have on a target audience, but this can be accomplished with the correct monitoring strategy. As a result of their attempts to conceal the fact that they are involved in a negative and unhealthy relationship, those who experience this illness typically suffer in silence. They typically try to prevent others, especially their classmates, kin, and friends, from criticizing or demeaning them.

The following components are used with social media platforms to create effective social media campaigns:

• Contests or challenges based on reputation, reward, and influence
• Collaborating on local levels in target communities;
• Conveying the campaign's tangible achievements to all parties concerned;
• Offline components for enlisting and including adolescents in the campaign;
• Awarding individuals, both those who participate and those who benefit;
• Make it abundantly apparent what the results will be
• People want to change the world and get rewards and recognition for doing so.
• Make virality a requirement and a component of the solution. In general, social media may influence important improvements in the prevention of violence against women.
• Communities and people may be mobilized via social media.
• Bringing attention to, encouraging, and supporting activities leading.
• Changes in awareness, attitudes, and behaviours.
• Change in social norms

Suggestions

It must be ensured that any violence committed towards women, including domestic abuse and other crimes, is illegal and subject to harsh punishments. To identify any barriers to women receiving effective restitution when they are victims of violence while preserving everyone's core human rights, the criminal justice system must be evaluated.

When prisoners—especially women prisoners—experience violence of all intensities, laws must be changed and treated seriously. These incidents sometimes go unreported or remain hidden when investigated. Character assassinations of inmates based on their preconceptions are carried out in broad open, and the majority of those who belong to a marginalized class are never allowed to be fairly represented.

Requirement of Certain Provisions to Protect Women

The creation of safe houses and shelters for abused women must be assured; these facilities must not serve as de facto jails for attackers but rather as places where battered women may seek safety and remain for a length of time while still maintaining their dignity and independence.

It is important to support phone hotlines for women who have been victims of assault. These hotlines need to be widely promoted and publicized so that every woman is aware of the availability of these services and therapy. Additionally, employees must be taught when and how to submit alleged offences to various departments and counsellors. Additionally, these services must always be anonymous, free, and secure. Even when dealing with an accused person, the right to privacy must be respected.

In circumstances of domestic abuse, civil remedies must be accessible. A legally enforceable protective order that may serve as a deterrent against any future claims of violence from the same parties is required. Such orders could stop the attacker from getting in touch with, approaching, insulting, injuring, or attacking the victim anymore until the issue is resolved in court. Women who are not married, single persons, and those who lived together or shared a house with someone else in a live-in relationship must all have access to these measures without discrimination based on gender.

The data collection process for crimes against a certain sect or gender must be consistent. The several types of violence that are occurring quickly, their intensity, and the areas where they are concentrated. It is necessary to compare reported and unreported instances statistically. It is important to accurately report on how such cases are often handled, how long it takes to get them to court, how long it takes to gather and present the evidence, and how these cases turn out. When drafting preventative measures and guidance for such transgressions, such maths must be taken into consideration. Additionally, local self-government must take an effort to inform the populace of the penalties and rules that apply to such crimes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, violence against women is a widespread problem in contemporary civilization. Women are frequently the sufferer of this case, as evidenced by the fact that 85 per cent of the sufferers were women, according to a study that was done. This shows that when men act aggressively toward women, they usually end up being the victims. As a result of their attempts to conceal the fact that they are involved in a negative and unhealthy relationship, those who experience this illness typically suffer in silence.

They typically try to prevent others, especially their classmates, kin, and friends, from criticizing or demeaning them. One of the reasons people suffer in silence is that their spouse could threaten them if they quit the relationship. Some individuals would endure abuse in a marriage for the sake of their kids to ensure that they get adequate care and affection from both parents. When doing vital activities like working or hanging out with friends, these individuals tend to lose concentration and get easily distracted.

They also find it difficult to enjoy themselves when their hearts are racing with fear of returning home. As a result, we should be more aware of our friends, family members, and colleagues who are suffering through this and encourage them to seek help, whether from relatives or close friends or from organizations that can help with the problem. Regardless of ethnicity, religion, or skin colour, anybody may experience this situation.

Be on the lookout, and finally, to prevent being a victim, choose your partner wisely, get to know them well, and most importantly, be aware of how they behave under stress. Staying away from someone if violent is one of their top choices and can be said to be one of the greatest ways to prevent injury and a negative future. 

In the words of Marilyn Monroe,

“Never let anyone dull your sparkle”

References

[1] Impact of Domestic Violence on Women,  Available Here

[2] The Indian Penal Code, 1860 

[3] National Commission for Women, “30th Report on Violence Against Women about Domestic Violence"

[4] Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (Act No 43 of 2005)

[5] The Domestic Violence Act- Constitutional Perspective, Available Here

[6] Indra Sarma v. K.V. Sarma, AIR 2014 SC 309

[7] Protection of Domestic Violence Act, 2005

[8]  Vandhana v. T. Srikanth, 2007 SCC Online Madras 553

[9] Law Commission of India, “172nd Report on Review of Rape Laws about Indian Penal Code, 1860” 

[10] The United Nations, 1945, Article 1 Clause 30

[11] Violence Against Women and Role of Media, Available Here

[12] Universal Declaration of Human Rights,1984 ( Resolution 217A of 1948), Article 1

[13] Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 1979

[14] The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, 1993

[15] Offences Against Women and International Law, Available Here

Important Links

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