Myth Buster
When we start #TalkingGender about how violence against women affects Any Woman, Anwhere these conversations can be difficult to navigate and emotionally draining. We’ve created a quick guide on how to explain violence against women to help with these conversations, you can read that here.
Sometimes, whilst discussing these things pervasive and harmful myths are used. So, we have created this guide on how to respond to common questions.
Is that violence?
People might find it difficult to call certain things “violence” if they are not physical. They might wonder if someone shouting at you in the street really violence?
This encompassing definition of “violence” is used by all national violence prevention charities in Scotland, along with the United Nations and the Scottish Government in their Equally Safe Strategy.
All of these acts are part of a continuum of violence.
Can’t you take a compliment!
Some people will see street harassment as something light hearted, fun, or an appropriate way to let someone know you are interested in them.
But we know that it is none of these things.
What about the grey area with consent? It is so complicated!
Sometimes you might here people speaking of a “grey area” in consent.
This comes from misunderstanding the basics of how consent works.
Try asking them to describe a situation that is “grey” and point out the very black and white nature of every event.
You could show them this cartoon series that shows how simple consent really is.
Or send them this video to watch that explains consent with cups of tea:
What about the men?
We focus on men’s violence against women because of its high prevalence and devastating impact.
While men experience significant and also unacceptable amounts of violence in Scottish society, the vast majority of perpetrators of violent crimes are also men. (Source)
Both women and men are more likely to experience violence at the hands of men and all of this violence is unacceptable.
We do not seek to ignore that experience, however the root causes of men’s violence against women are very different to the causes of other types of violence. The causes of men’s violence against women are rooted in gender inequality which is why our work tackles the social attitudes that allow this inequality to continue.
HAVE WE MISSED SOMETHING?
Do you have any other strategies and tips for approaching these conversations?
If you have any useful resources or tips about how to talk to friends and family about gender, race, sexuality, and disability please just let us know – we’d love to include it here!
We are also taking pitches for #TalkingGender blogs - we want to know how you approach and experience these conversations.
Please email jo.zawadzka@zerotolerance.org.uk with any suggestions for additions or blog ideas.