Campaign against Violence - Essay Example

Introduction: This paper provides an analysis of two movements that are responsible for fighting domestic violence, andit explains the methods that these movements use in achieving their objectives. The movements under consideration are the White ribbon, and Tender Relationships. This paper takes a stand that these two movements use lobbying, demonstrations, and educations as tools of fighting domestic violence within the community. This paper is arranged in five different sections, and this helps it to meet its objectives. The first section is the introduction. The introduction outlines the purpose of this paper. The second section talks about domestic violence, and the vulnerable groups that are likely to suffer from it. The third section identifies on the reasons of fighting domestic violence. The fourth section talks about how the White Ribbon Movement and Women against Violence are able to advocate against domestic violence. The final section is a conclusion, and it is a summary of the major points contained in this paper. Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is a behavior that is characterized by violence and an abuse of people living together. This normally includes cohabitation, or even marriage. An example of domestic violence is intimate partner violence. This refers to an abuse by a partner or a spouse who are involved in a relationship that is intimate (Dekeseredy, 2011). This type of violence can also take place in same-sex relationships, or even heterosexual relationships. Domestic violence has the capability of taking a variety of forms and these includes sexual, physical, economic, verbal, and emotional abuse. The results of these types of violence can lead to death, stress, depression, or even to physical injuries. These are very serious effects of domestic violence and hence there is a need of discouraging this type of practice. For instance depression and stress may lead to loss of weight or even thoughts of committing suicide. On a global perspective, women are more vulnerable to domestic violence when compared to their male counterparts. However, recent studies depict that men have also engaged in domestic violence. The response of domestic violence amongst the victims varies, and this depends from the societies which these people are coming from. For example, in a developed country, women who are experiencing domestic violence have the capability of openly reporting this case to authorities. This is as opposed to women who are experiencing this type of violence in developing countries (Dhruvarajan & Vickers, 2002). This is because of the degradation of women in the cultures of these countries, and the promotion of the masculine culture where men are viewed as the dominant forces within the economy, and women must be subjected to men. Furthermore, women experiencing domestic violence would also face social stigma, and this happens both in the developing and the developed countries. The Need of Fighting Domestic Violence: Domestic violence normally occurs because of the belief by the abuser that violence against the abused s acceptable and justified. As a result of this belief, it may lead to an intergenerational cycle of abuse that tolerates violence. People experiencing domestic violence are normally trapped in these types of violence situations, and this occurs through fear, power and control, isolation, insufficient financial resources, or the need of protecting children who are trapped within families experiencing this type of violence (Goldrick, 2002). Because of these abuses, victims normally experience chronic health problems, physical disabilities, limited finances, mental illness, and inability to form and create a healthy relationship. Furthermore, victims of domestic violence normally experience a post-traumatic stress disorder. This means that they are vulnerable to depression; as a result, they may develop serious health complications. Domestic violence negatively affects children. Children living under this environment may show some signs of dysregulated aggressions (Pringle, Hearn, Ruspini, & Pease, 2011). This occurs at their early developmental stages, and may continue into adult hood. They may further continue with this type of violence into their adulthood. Because of these negative effects of domestic violence, organizations such as the White Ribbon and Tender Relationships have emerged. The intention of these organizations is to prevent the occurrence of violence against women. Strategies used in fighting domestic violence: White Ribbon and Tender Relationships are two movements responsible for the advocation of the world which is free from domestic violence, or violence against women. White Ribbon comprises mostly of men, who believe that violence against women is unjustifiable, despite any offence emanating from the women. Furthermore, White Ribbon is a global movement, and it comprises of thousands of men who share the similar belief and view that it is unjustifiable to commit violence against women (Hobbs & Rice, 2013, p. 188). It is encouraging to denote that it is men who are leading this movement. This is because most of the initiators who commit domestic violence are men, and this is because of the perception that they are the most dominant members of the society. Therefore, the fact that men are spearheading a movement that advocates for violence against women is a proof that men are beginning to change their perception women are unequal members of the society. This is a new approach in seeking to prevent or minimize violence that are targeted against women (Messner, Greenberg & Peretz, 2015, p. 37). This is because in the traditional approach, it is only women were advocating for an equal right or an end to the violence against them. The white ribbon uses four major strategies aimed at preventing this type of violence. These strategies are lobbying, campaigning, fundraising, and organizing (White Ribbon Campaign, n.d, 2015). One of the methods used by White Ribbon for purposes of ending domestic violence is through the use of its website (True, 2012). The organization runs a website that provides education regarding on the best ways of avoiding domestic violence. For instance, the organization believes that for an end to violence, there is a need of everybody getting involved in its prevention. This issue of domestic violence should not only be left to law enforcement agencies, and government institutions (Hobbs & Rice, 2013, p. 189). But it should be the responsibility of everybody within the society to prevent its occurrence. Furthermore, the organization has enacted a help hotline, whereby anybody experiencing domestic violence can call, and seek for help. Furthermore, the organization offers counseling services to people who are involved in carrying out domestic violence. The organization also refers people who are addicted in committing domestic violence, to institutions that can help them change their behavior. This includes the S.T.O.P. network. This is an organization that offers counseling services to people, who are engaged in domestic violence, and it advocates for equal and positive treatment of everybody. The organization also organizes rallies and concerts aimed at sensitizing people on the dangers of domestic violence. This is a very powerful tool of lobbying, mainly because politicians and policy formulators would be aware of the dangers and existence of domestic violence, and hence create policies aimed at curbing this type of violence (Hobbs & Rice, 2013, p. 47). The use of rallies and concerts is a new method that most of these organizations normally use for purposes of sensitizing people, against domestic violence. This is also a method that Tender Relations normally uses. Tender Relations is an organization that mostly concerns itself with promoting a healthy relationship amongst the young people in the United Kingdom. Tender Relations believes that if young people are taught on the best methods of creating a healthy relationship, then chances are high that there will be a considerable decrease of domestic violence. One of the strategies that this organization uses is sponsoring concerts and educational forums aimed at educating the youth on the best methods of building a relationship and sustaining the relationships under consideration. To achieve this objective, the organization constantly asks for donations, from well wishers (Horsbrugh, 2009). This aimed at sponsoring their various forums and activities. Most of these forums are held in schools, universities, and colleges. Lobbying is also another method that is used for purposes of advocating for policies aimed at preventing domestic violence. The organization lobbies senior government officials, and politicians, so that they may create policies aimed at teaching young people on the best ways of building a stable relationship. This includes introduction of a curriculum aimed at teaching on the dangers of domestic violence in schools. Through these methods, Tender Relations believes that it would influence young people to avoid engaging in violence (Tender Acting to End Abuse, n.d, 2015). Conclusion: The White Ribbon and Tender Relations are two contemporary organizations that are advocating against domestic violence. Domestic violence is a problem that has always existed since time immemorial. The most vulnerable group are always women, and this is because they are viewed as weaker members of the society. White Ribbon and Tender Relations are organizations that seek to discredit this belief. They mainly aim to achieve this objective through lobbying, campaigns, fundraising, and organization of rallies and forums. Lobbying and campaigns are normally directed at politicians, while the use of rallies and forums are directed at teaching people on how to avoid domestic violence, and report these cases in circumstances that they happen. These organizations also use their websites for purposes of educating the masses on issues regarding domestic violence. These are the contemporary methods used in the prevention of domestic violence. Bibliography: DEKESEREDY, W. S. (2011). Violence against women: myths, facts, controversies. Toronto, University of Toronto Press. DHRUVARAJAN, V., & VICKERS, J. (2002). Gender, race, and nation: a global perspective. Toronto [u.a.], Univ. of Toronto Press. Top of Form HOBBS, M., & RICE, C. (2013). Gender and womens studies in Canada: critical terrain. Bottom of Form HORSBRUGH PORTER, A. (2009). Created equal: voices on womens rights. New York, Palgrave Macmillan. GOLDRICK-JONES, A. (2002). Dismantling the masters house?: men who believe in feminism. Westport, Conn, Praeger. MESSNER, M. A., GREENBERG, M. A., & PERETZ, T. (2015). Some men: feminist allies in the movement to end violence against women. PRINGLE, K., HEARN, J., RUSPINI, E., & PEASE, B. (2011). Men and Masculinities Around the World Transforming Mens Practices. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan. TENDER ACTING TO END ABUSE. (n.d.). Tender | Home. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://tender.org.uk/ TRUE, J. (2012). The political economy of violence against women. New York, NY, Oxford University Press.   WHITE RIBBON CAMPAIGN. (n.d.). White Ribbon Day 2015 so far. Retrieved March 10, 2015, from http://www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk/ Read More