Fighting Domestic Violence: Changing Men and Women

1
Fighting Domestic Violence Changing Men and Women

• Presentation by
• Ms Phally Hor
• Executive Director of the Project Against
  Domestic Violence (PADV)

2
Background

• Before not even a name or a definition to
  describe domestic violence.
• 1994 Plates in the Basket will Rattle study
  16 suffer from domestic violence in Cambodia.
• Domestic violence seen as a private matter.
• Effects of domestic violence significant
• Women and children
• Local authority
• Development.

3
Actions taken (1)

• Education/Training
• Local authorities (police).
• Grass-root level.
• Awareness Raising
• IEC materials TV- and radio spots, T-shirts,
  posters, calendars, storybook for children.
• Role play.
• Lobbying politicians/government.

4
Actions taken (2) Support groups

• Pilot programme, Men Stop Violence 2002.
• Three level approach 1) Peer (friends etc.)
• 2) Group Discussion (men women)
• 3) Stakeholders (local authority)
• Topics definition impact of domestic violence,
  responsibility of the man in the family, anger
  management.
• Commune level closed group discussions with
  abuser men and youth (age 15-25).
• Open discussions groups for women advice to
  support change of abuser, or offer support to get
  out of abusive relationships.

5
Results regarding behavioural change (1)

• Evaluation on Man Stop Violence-project shows
  less violence (see handout)
• Men changed from physical to emotional violence.
• Reduction in violence among youth gangs.

6
Results regarding behavioural change (2)

• People increasingly see DV as a public, not a
  private, matter.
• Women victims seek, and find help, from NGOs and
  government, MoWVA.
• Women speak out (Demographic Health survey in
  2000 25 suffer from domestic violence).
• Local authorities and police bring victims to
  PADV office and NGO-shelters.
• Recognition from politicians that DV is a
  violation of womens rights, and that it hurts
  development.

7
Motivators for behavioural change

• 1. Peer pressure
• - Conflict big brother/friends vs.
  teachers/wife or parents.
• 2. Judgement/expectations of community
  members
• - The rights of women or the impact of
  violence on women does not influence the
  behaviour of men.
• 3. Religious and cultural expectations
• - Cultural code of conduct for men and women.

8
Lessons learnt

• Peer support important to sustain changed
  behaviour.
• Making DV a public issue leads to change,
  political pressure importance of awareness
  campaigns, lobbying, research.