Having explored the impacts of violence against women, let us now focus on how violence against women, in particular domestic violence can be dealt with.
Explanations for violence against women have developed within a vast variety of fields, including sociology, anthropology, criminal justice/law, public health, and social work.Â
As a result, there are a number of competing theories, which each has different implications for policy aimed at how to eliminate the problem. However, several steps could help. What are the options available to women? Pickup et al (ibid.) explain some steps to be considered.
Firstly, the roles of the family and community structures. Levinson's study of domestic violence has shown that, "Immediate intervention designed to stop the beating or to prevent it from ever starting is a key first line of defence in controlling wife beating". (Levinson in Pryke & Thomas, 1998:98). Jenkins & Davidson (2001) state in relation to natural care giving from the community, "the final factor in prevention is the development of natural caregivers in the community.Â
All of these professions can enhance their already developed skills in care giving by understanding the victim's and perpetrator's behavior". Also Kelly in Jenkins & Davidson (ibid.) argues that to make women safe in their own communities, "there is the issue of changing communities' norms and values to affect the long-term safety of women".
Secondly, the role of women's organisations. Women may come to women's organisations of their own volition. Women's organisations may offer a number of support services, addressing women's physical and emotional health, their needs for temporary and possibly long-term shelter, access to the legal system, or a means of making a living, so that women can feel empowered to take responsibility for their own lives. And also women's organisations/NGOs are providing legal advice on women's rights, assisting women in the legal processes of sepa ration or divorce. Moreover, many women's organisations or NGOs have developed medical intervention in order to maintain free and easily accessible treatment.
Next, long-term strategies: creating a livelihood, for instance promoting and supporting women's education and training. As we know, education can contribute to women's and girls' confidence and self-worth, and also can make their bargaining position within the family and society stronger.
All mentioned above, we have seen how serious violence against women is. Women as the victims and survivors of rape, sexual abuse, murder, slavery, genital mutilation, stalking, and physical and emotional torture, and even prostitution are very vulnerable. In addition, violence against women has a significant impact not only on the victims and their dependants, but also on the perpetrators.
I shall conclude that violence against women; particularly domestic violence is a very serious problem and should be prevented. It should also be remembered that the problem of violence against women will not be prevented and solved unless the family and the community as well as women's organisations/NGOs and other elements of the country work hand in hand to solve it.*
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