Gender-based violence (GBV) is a serious public health problem around the world. According to the World Health Organization, as many as one in three women experience violence in their lifetime.
GBV can have a range of devastating physical, psychological, and social consequences for victims and their families. What’s more, it can also cause significant moral injuries – emotional wounds that can be very difficult to heal.
Moral injury refers to the psychological trauma caused by violating one’s own deeply held moral beliefs. For example, a person who has been raped may feel that they are now “dirty” or “tainted”. They may also feel that they have lost their sense of worth and self-respect.
This kind of trauma can be very hard to overcome, especially if it is not addressed. victims of GBV often suffer from symptoms such as depression, anxiety, anger, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They may also find it difficult to trust other people and to form relationships.
If you or someone you know has been affected by GBV, it is important to get help. There are many resources available, including counseling and therapy. There are also support groups for victims of GBV.
GBV is a serious problem that can have long-lasting effects on victims and their families. It is important to get help if you have been affected by GBV. There are many resources available, including counseling and therapy.
Military Service
Service members can experience different types of moral injuries during their time in the military. Moral injury includes physical and sexual assaults, combat-related stress, and death of a comrade. Moral injury can also be caused by witnessing or participating in actions that violate the individual’s personal moral beliefs or codes of conduct (Fischer, 2014).
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a type of violence that is targeted at individuals because of their gender. It is often perpetrated as a tool of power and control over women and girls and can take many different forms, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as economic and social deprivation (UN Women, 2011).
While moral injury and GBV are both incredibly serious issues, they have not often been studied together. However, as this paper will show, there is a clear intersection between these two forms of harm. This is particularly true for women and girls who experience both moral injury and GBV, as they are doubly harmed.
Moral injury can be caused by a wide range of experiences, many of which are common during times of conflict. For example, a service member may witness or participate in actions that violate their personal moral beliefs or codes of conduct. This could include violence against civilians, torture, and sexual assault. Combat can also be a source of moral injury, as service members may see dead or wounded comrades, experience intense fear or stress, or be forced to make difficult decisions. All of these experiences can lead to a sense of guilt, shame, and self-blame, which are all components of moral injury.
GBV is also a common occurrence during times of conflict. It is often used as a tool of power and control to humiliate and demean women and girls. GBV can take many different forms, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, as well as economic and social deprivation. It is often difficult for victims to seek help, as they may fear retaliation or social stigma.
There is a clear intersection between moral injury and GBV, as both can cause immense suffering and leave victims feeling isolated and alone. For women and girls who experience both, the impact can be devastating. They are doubly harmed,
Conclusion
Although gender-based violence inflicts terrible physical and psychological harm, it also has a moral component that can be even more damaging. Victims often feel that they have done something wrong and are left feeling ashamed, dirty, and unworthy. This can lead to a lifetime of suffering, and can be especially difficult to overcome when traditional support systems are not available. It is critical that we address the moral injury caused by gender-based violence if we hope to achieve lasting change.
