Any act of gender based violence that results in or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. This is the United Nations definition of violence against women. There are many forms of violence, including sexual, physical, or emotional abuse by an intimate partner; physical or sexual abuse by family members or others; sexual harassment and abuse by authority figures; trafficking for forced labor or sex; and such traditional practices as forced or child marriages. Systematic sexual abuse in conflict situations is a form of abuse against women. The scope of the problem is a lot bigger than we think. Especially in foreign countries such as Africa nd India. About 5,000 women are murdered by family members in the name of honor each year worldwide. Trafficking of women and girls for forced labor and sex is widespread. Worldwide, up to one in five women and one in ten men report experiencing sexual abuse as children. Children who experiences sexual abuse are much more likely to encounter other forms of abuse. This also leads to risky behaviors such as first sex at an early age, multiple partners and unprotected sex. Each risk increases the rick of health problems. Interventions need to be made. We need to increase education and opportunities for women and girls, improving their self esteem and negotiating skills, and reducing gender inequities in communities. Advocacy for victims, better awareness of violence and its consequences among health workers and wider knowledge of available resources form abused women (including legal assistance, housing and child care), this can lessen the consequences of violence.
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Forensic Nursing Chronicles 