Gendered Nature of Violence

Domestic and Family Violence can affect anyone of any gender or sexuality.

However, we know that this type of violence is committed mostly by male-identifying perpetrators against female-identifying victim-survivors.

Below is a list of quick facts:

• On average, one woman a week is murdered by her current or former partner
• 1 in 3 women (30.5%) has experienced physical violence since the age of 15
• 1 in 5 women (18%) has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15
• 1 in 4 women (23%) has experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner since age 15
• 1 in 2 women (53%) has experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime

The gendered nature of DFV is explained at least in part by the structural drivers of DFV, particularly gender inequality and strict or ridgid gender roles.

These elements work together to create an environment in which male-identifying users of violence feel empowered to use different tactics to control their partners, and in which female-identifying victim-survivors feel less able to leave or to stand up to the violence.

Video by Our Watch on the gendered drivers of violence.