Breaking the Cycle: Empowering Victims and Society Against Gender Violence

Madrid, ‌Spain – ‍The fight against gender violence demands a multi-faceted approach,‍ one that empowers victims while⁢ together fostering a societal⁢ shift in awareness and obligation. As the head of the family and womenS care ⁣unit (UFAM) highlights, the journey towards safety for victims begins with self-protection, a crucial first step often⁤ overlooked.

The Victim’s Role in Self-Protection

“they are the⁣ first who have ​too contribute to their safety,” states the UFAM head, emphasizing that‌ passive‌ reliance is insufficient. She illustrates this point with a stark example: “It is⁣ indeed useless to try to make a victim be located ‌if he is publishing on social networks giving references that‍ the aggressor can‍ use to know where he is.” ⁣This underscores the need ⁢for victims to be mindful of their digital footprint⁤ and personal details, especially when under threat.

The Environment’s Crucial Responsibility

However,the⁣ responsibility does not solely rest on the victim’s shoulders.The UFAM head points out a critical challenge: “Many victims do not self-perceive in this very way.” This lack of self-awareness, coupled with the legal obligation to‌ report, places a notable‍ burden on the victim’s environment. “Anyone who knows this crime would be obliged to denounce it,” she reminds us.

The insidious ‌nature of abuse often involves isolation. Abusers systematically try to cut victims ​off from⁣ their support networks. Thus, the UFAM recommends ⁣that the environment remain present and supportive, rather than‍ withdrawing. “You have⁤ to be by their side,let them ‌speak and not overwhelm them with messages of ‘Leave him’,’You are silly’,don’t you⁢ see it?’ because they are​ not that they are not able to ‌see it,” she advises. ‌Marí suggests that if ‍a victim is unable to take‌ the step of reporting, those around them should⁤ be willing to ⁣do‌ so⁤ on ​their behalf, always offering support when needed.The reluctance to file complaints of gender violence frequently enough stems from fear. Many women are aware that the legal process is lengthy and can be traumatic,often requiring a complete upheaval of their ⁣lives.

Strengthening Prevention ‌Through Education and Awareness

From the State Security Forces, which investigate a significant number of gender-based homicides, there⁢ is a strong call for enhanced prevention strategies. “It is in education where it⁣ is to achieve this type of crime to the maximum,” they​ assert. Marí echoes this ⁤sentiment, stressing ‌the ongoing need to educate women of all ages on‍ how abusers operate.

Educating Across Generations

“You have to educate the elderly who lead all their lives suffering from this type​ of violence and that their culture is to endure ⁤the whole life and ‌adolescents,” she explains. The problem‌ is notably acute among adolescents, with “12-year-old girls‌ within the Viogen system” requiring protection. This early involvement is‌ frequently enough due to a distorted understanding of relationships, ‌where control⁤ is misinterpreted as ‍affection. “We have‌ seen girls who with 14 years are able to do everything so‌ that her boyfriend does not ‍leave them and for not staying‌ alone,” she reveals.

The UFAM commissioner links ⁤this early onset of gender violence to the “isolation” fostered by social ⁤networks. While social media offers connectivity, it⁢ can paradoxically diminish resilience.​ “Before when heartbreak, a good friend and a scarf⁢ box solved it. Today, even if​ they are connected, there is a lack of resilience and they do not understand that​ they have life ahead, that after that boyfriend of 14 will come another,⁢ that this will have to spend 15 times in life. There is a real obsession with loneliness,” she reflects.

A Collective Commitment to Safety

The UFAM’s mission to ⁢prevent another “black summer of murders” ‌hinges on reinforcing interaction ⁣between victims and ​protective agents. However, achieving this requires a commitment from ⁤all of society. The commissioner expresses a deep desire to avoid reading news of another gender-based murder,particularly when the environment -‌ family or friends – admits to having witnessed warning signs but failed to report them. The collective responsibility to break the cycle of violence is paramount.