Health Effects of Violence - Women

As we saw in the epidemiology of injury section women are effected by injury differently than men.

Interpersonal violence, domestic violence and sexual assault, are leading causes of injury-related death.  Sexual violence in war and conflict situations is another form of violence experienced by women.

Common injuries from intimate partner violence include[3]:

• bleeding

• multiple bruising

• internal bleeding

• injuries to face and head

• perforated eardrum

• burns from stoves, acids and appliances

• dental damage

• fractures

• injuries to breasts, chest and abdomen (especially if pregnant)

This does not take into account the longterm effect on self-esteem, psychology or the effect on the health of children exposed to this violence.

In 2000 in Canada women  made up the vast majority of victims of[4]:

• sexual assault (86%)

• criminal harassment (78%)

• kidnapping/hostage-taking or abduction (67%)

Violence Against Women does not just carry significant morbidity, but an alarming mortality. In 2001 women were 29% of the 554 homicide victims in Canada.  Of solved crimes, 52% of all female homicide victims in 2001 were killed by someone with whom they had an intimate relationship at one point in time, either through marriage or dating (compared to 8% of male victims).

20% of solved homicides in 2001 were spousal. [5]

WHO

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3. Day T. The Health-Related Costs of Violence Against Women in Canada: The Tip of the Iceberg. Centre for Research on Violence Against Women and Children, London, Ontario 1995 http://www.crvawc.ca/docs/pub_day1995.pdf

4. Statistics Canada (2001) Canadian Crime Statistics 2000 - Catalogue 85-205, Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada. As reported in National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 6, 2005 Fact Sheet: Statistics On Violence Against Women In Canada http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/dec6/facts_e.html Accessed April 23, 2006

5. Dauvergne M. (2002) "Homicide in Canada - 2001", Juristat 22(7), Ottawa: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, Statistics Canada. As reported in: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women December 6, 2005 Fact Sheet: Statistics On Violence Against Women In Canada http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/dec6/facts_e.html Accessed April 23, 2006

All references for this section