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End Gender-Based Violence

Everyday Activism Network

What You Can Do To Stop Violence Against Women and Support Survivors

One in three women will experience some form of gender-based violence during their lifetime.  That’s an estimated 1.3 billion women worldwide.  And this figure is likely under-reported due to societal norms, stigma, shame, and silencing.  Gender-based violence is pervasive, but it is also preventable.  

We are currently commemorating the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.  An annual campaign celebrating its 30th anniversary that begins on November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and ends on December 10, International Human Rights Day. 

Stand in solidarity with survivors and fight for the rights of women, girls, trans women, and other vulnerable people to live free from violence.


Here’s how to take action.

First, what is gender-based violence (GBV)

Gender-based violence includes the following three components:

  1. A harmful act that causes death or includes physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or financial abuse; 

  2. Perpetrated against a person because of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression; 

  3. That can take place in public or private (including at home, work, on the street, online, etc.). 


GBV takes many forms and goes by many names.  It includes, but is not limited to:

  • Partner violence (including domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, and dating violence).  It can be physical, sexual, financial, emotional, or psychological. 

  • Stalking.

  • Sexual violence (including sexual assault and sexual harassment).

  • Rape (including marital rape, forced prostitution, and nonconsensual condom removal aka stealthing).

  • Bullying (including cyber-bullying and revenge porn).

  • Hate crimes specifically targeting people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

  • Murder (including infanticide, femicide, and honor killings).

  • Other (such as child marriage, forced marriage, human trafficking, female genital mutilation, malnutrition, and neglect).

GBV is deeply rooted in gender inequity. 

Therefore, GBV and violence against women and girls (VAWG) are terms that are often used interchangeably to reflect that, around the world, GBV disproportionately impacts women and girls.  The headlines are filled with examples of unabated VAWG.  In 2021 alone, we’ve heard about needle spiking, stealthing,  sexual assaults in Lyfts, a spotlight on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls sparked by the ‘missing white women syndrome’ debate following the Gaby Petito case, USA gymnasts’ bravery in coming forward, and the murder of eight Asian women in an Atlanta shooting, among many more. 

That said, men and boys, trans and gender nonconforming people, people in lesbian relationships, and others in the LGBTQ+ community also experience gender-based violence.  It is important to dispel myths regarding gender roles that perpetuate silence and prevent people from seeking help.  Although this post focuses on VAWG, many of the actions recommended also apply to the prevention of and response to violence against all vulnerable people.

When talking about gender-based violence, you’ll often hear the terms “victim” and “survivor.” Neither word is better or worse, and no term adequately identifies the experiences of every person affected by violence. We tend to use survivor to affirm the ability of people to recover and heal from traumatic events.

Prevent GBV by tackling root causes and breaking the cycle

Promote equity and remove barriers for women and girls

There is no place on earth where women enjoy equal rights as men.  When cultures promote dominant masculinity and passive femininity, it allows violence to thrive.  UN Women recommends 12 actions you can take to support gender equity.  

Raise boys to challenge toxic masculinity 

We’ve spent decades telling girls they can be anything they want to be.  Yet, we continue to have outmoded ideas of masculinity that can create harmful expectations of men and boys.  For example, we still teach boys to suppress their feelings and to “man up” or “be a man.”   And conservative and evangelical cultures in the U.S. continue to promote the idea that men are inherently protectors and providers and that women need to be protected and provided for.  Boys are also taught to avoid traditionally female activities including specific careers, sports, or wearing dresses or makeup.  These and other damaging gender norms and stereotypes promote the idea that women and girls are less than.

Learn how you can start to change this at the Boyhood Initiative.  They teach boys to share emotions in healthy ways, accept and connect with others, stand up and speak out against bullying and inequality, and break free from stereotypes.  And check out A Call To Men whose vision is a world where all men and boys are loving and respectful, and all women, girls, and those at the margins are valued and safe. 

Change the narrative

Point out stereotypes encountered in the news, media, on the street, at school, and at work.  Reject storytelling that perpetuates harmful gender roles or unwittingly instills unconscious bias.  For example: that men are inherently violent and aggressive or are less competent parents, or storylines that portray dominant women negatively, focus on women’s appearance instead of their substance, or victim-blame rather than focusing on the perpetrator.  Learn more at the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. 

Advocate for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE)

CSE teaches people, particularly young people, to make well-informed and healthy choices in relationships and their sexual lives. It uses holistic and age-appropriate curriculum that addresses gender norms, sexuality, human rights, and public health. Learn more at the Pop Council.


Take personal accountability

Listen to and believe survivors 

Survivors of GBV deserve to be heard, supported, and believed without judgment.  It takes courage to come forward, yet many people don’t share their story because they fear not being believed, being told it was their fault, or having their allegations minimized or dismissed.  When listening to a person’s experience of GBV, it’s important to remember that the perpetrator is solely responsible.  The survivor’s sobriety, clothes, relationship status, or any other factor are irrelevant.  One of the most important things you can say to a survivor is, “I believe you.  And I stand with you.”   

Consent is mandatory

Talk about the importance of consent, bodily autonomy, and accountability with everyone, not just women and girls.  Freely given, enthusiastic consent is mandatory.  Every time.  Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.  Enthusiastic consent involves looking for the presence of a “yes” rather than the absence of a “no.”  Some people try to hide behind “blurred lines” and claim that consent is hard to ascertain.  This short video, Consent: It’s Simple As Tea, clearly explains that if you can understand how completely ludicrous it is to force people to have tea when they don’t want tea, or when they change their mind about having tea, then it’s not hard to understand consent when it comes to sex. 

Create a safe environment and intervene as a bystander

Your actions matter.  Pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about gender-based violence.  Speak up when you see inappropriate behavior that reinforces gender stereotypes or could make someone feel unsafe.  This can be anything from catcalling to sexist jokes to inappropriate touching.  Challenge peers, friends, and family to reflect on their behavior and do better.  Check out this list of resources from Futures Without Violence on how to help prevent violence before it starts. 

You can also intervene as a bystander to prevent or interrupt a violent incident.  It’s not always easy to step in, even when you know it’s the right thing to do.  RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has tips on how to intervene as a bystander.  Whether it’s giving someone a safe ride home, interrupting an uncomfortable conversation, or directly confronting a person engaging in threatening behavior. 

Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help

Given the statistics, it’s highly likely that we all know someone who has experienced or is currently experiencing gender-based violence.  Learn how to recognize signs of abuse and about safety tips for people experiencing abuse.  If you are concerned about someone you know, reach out to your local victim services program to help you talk to the person about their situation or read this advice from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).   For additional resources, or if you or someone you know is in danger, see our Get Help section. 


Learn the Signal for Help

The Signal for Help was launched by the Canadian Women’s Foundation as a way for domestic violence survivors isolated during COVID-19 lockdowns to seek help.  The Signal for Help is a simple one-handed sign people can use to silently and discreetly show that they need help and want someone to check in with them in a safe way.  It is now being shared around the world to help people in many different types of situations.  For example, you may have heard the recent story of a missing teen girl in Kentucky who was rescued after using the signal.   

The Signal for Help is a tool that may help some people, some of the time.  Please see our Get Help section for additional resources.  

If you see someone use the Signal for Help, DO NOT assume they want you to call authorities or immediately intervene. Safely check in with the person to find out what they need and what they want you to do. They may want to tell you what is happening. They may ask you to listen and be there for them. They may ask for help finding services. Learn more and find out how you can check with someone safely.


Tell Congress to pass anti-violence and equal rights legislation

Each of these measures has passed in the House but faces major obstacles in the Senate.  It’s another example of how the filibuster is being used to block legislation that most Americans support. 

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

VAWA – a landmark piece of legislation to support survivors of GBV and improve legal and community-based responses  – expired in 2018.  It has not been reauthorized due to Republican opposition (despite enjoying years of bipartisan support since it was first enacted in 1994).  The House passed the VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 1620) on March 17, 2021.  But as the bill makes its way through the Senate, it is likely to be filibustered by Republicans.  And even if it makes it through, programs that support immigrants, Indigenous people, and LGBTQ+ people are at risk of being defunded or eliminated.  We must demand that the Senate reauthorize VAWA without compromising protections for those most at-risk.  

 Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA)

The FVPSA provides vital funding for shelters, survivor support services, 24-hour domestic violence hotlines, and GBV coalitions and networks.  FVPSA has not been reauthorized since 2010 and expired in 2015.  Although it’s still funded, it is vulnerable to cuts.  Further, the FVPSA is also woefully out-of-date due to under-investment in prevention services and services for historically excluded communities of color, particularly Indigenous communities.  On October 26, 2021, the House passed the Family Violence Prevention and Services Reauthorization Act of 2021 (H.R. 2119). 

  • Contact your Senators to let them know you support S. 1275 and urge them to pass the reauthorization of the FVPSA to ensure survivors have access to life-saving services.  Use this letter as an example.  Not sure who your Senators are or how to contact them?  Read our How To Contact Your Reps post.  

 Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

The ERA is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would guarantee equal legal rights for all citizens regardless of sex.  It would strengthen protections by ending legal distinctions between men and women on matters including divorce, property, and employment, among others.    

Donate

Most people focus on the issues and causes they care about when deciding where to donate and don’t spend much time thinking about what types of prevention or response strategies they want to fund.  For example, do you prefer to donate to direct services such as hotlines, shelters, and crisis centers to ensure that all people have access to life-saving services and support?  Or are you interested in systems change and supporting organizations tackling the root causes of gender-based violence through policy and advocacy, public education, and movement building? 

Volunteer

Many organizations that support survivors of violence depend on volunteers.  For example, you can volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter, rape crisis center, hotline, or other survivor assistance program.  Or with a group working to end GBV by addressing root causes.  

  • Reach out to organizations in your community, research organizations mentioned in this post, or look for opportunities using this RAINN directory or NCADV resource list.  

  • Read our How to Volunteer post for more tips on how to find a volunteer opportunity that’s right for you.

Get help

You are not alone. If you are in immediate danger, you can call 911.  If you or someone you know needs help, call a hotline for anonymous and confidential support.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673

  • National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline at 1-866-311-9474 or text 22522

  • LGBT National Hotline at 1-888-843-4564 


Don’t see the hotline help you need? Review this list for more places you can call or text.

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Learn more in our How To Be An Everyday Activist guide.

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Originally published November 23, 2021.

Posts identify both fast actions that you can take in under five minutes and more time-intensive actions that deepen your engagement.  Our fast actions tend to be time-bound, as a result, some posts in the archive may contain expired links. Not to fret, we also recommend anytime actions that never go out of date.