Amplifying efforts to cease any forms of violence through intergenerational responses

By:Ajuna Simon Domestic violence is defined as violence committed by someone in the victim’s immediate family. Partners and ex-partners, close family members, extended relatives, and family friends are all included. When there is a close link between the offender and the victim, the term ‘domestic violence’ is employed. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. More so, defined as violent behavior between current or former intimate partners, in which one spouse attempts to assert authority and control over the other, usually through fear. Abuse can be physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, socioeconomic, domestic, or intimate relationship violence are all examples of violence, sexual harassment and harassment. Desire to gain and maintain power and control over an intimate partner is the primary cause behind domestic cases in distinguished homes in our localities. Emotional abuse that among other things includes non-physical behaviors that are meant to control, isolate, or frighten you. This may present in romantic relationships as threats, insults, constant monitoring, excessive jealousy, manipulation, humiliation, intimidation, dismissiveness, among others. Stress, exhaustion, or lack of parenting skills or family support can make the pressures of caring for a kid unbearable, leading to abuse. Isolation and a lack of support no family members, friends, partners, or community support to aid with the rigors of parenting can be causes of child abuse. According to byu.edu, 65% of Ugandan women have experienced at least one of these types of IPV. Cultural views toward violence among both men and women, as well as patriarchal practices among men, are key contributors to IPV in Uganda. Violence has enormous health and social consequences. Violence results in many deaths every day, particularly among young men and boys. Beyond these deaths, many more men, women, boys and girls suffer from injuries, disability and ill-health as the result of violence. Domestic abuse is predicted to cost mental healthcare £176 million in total. According to research by Mental Health Foundation, women who have experienced domestic abuse are more prone to suffer from mental health issues. Women with mental health difficulties, on the other hand, are more likely to be assaulted at home, with 30-60% having experienced domestic violence. In the general population, domestic violence is linked to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance misuse. Domestic abuse has a severe influence on the mental health of children. Many studies have discovered strong correlations between poor educational performance and greater levels of mental health problems. Prevention of domestic requires intergenerational collective movements aimed at cessation of this vice. Primary prevention takes place BEFORE violence initially occurs. It involves programs and strategies designed to reduce the factors that put people at risk for experiencing violence. Or, they encourage the factors that protect or buffer people from violence. Umbrella of Hope Initiative with help from French Embassy and Gender Based Violence coalition leader-FIDA Uganda under PISCCA project is advancing mindset change campaign together with change agents to ensure zero cases of any form of violence in Gulu city and beyond. Public awareness campaigns on violence have been used to educate community members about the prevalence of abuse, encourage people to take action to promote social change, and alert survivors to the options and resources that are available to them. It’s high time we took action to end all forms of violence with love, compassion and without judgment. Stand with courage, lead with conviction, and speak out to promote non-violence as the norm. Take action to end domestic violence and all forms of violence.