Verbal Abuse as a form of Violence against Women

The UN estimates that 95% of aggressive behavior, harassment, abusive language and denigrating images in online spaces are aimed at women and come from partners or former male partners. Other surveys show that the victims of cyberstalking are predominantly female. Our focuse this week week is focus on language and tones of voices used to scare, isolate, intimidate, dismay, ridicule, dishonor or control women and girls. 

 

verbal abuse is not about a harsh word spoken in a fit of anger, or even an insult thrown offhandedly, it is the systematic use of language in an abusive manner specifically used to make the spouse feel inferior, insecure and run down. Verbal abuse also includes the written form. As there is no universally accepted definition of verbal abuse, any form of communication done with the intent to cause harm to the person being spoken to which may consist of language which is demeaning, name calling, shouting, derogatory remarks, insulting, intimidating and threatening.

 

Verbal abuse occurs when someone uses language, whether spoken or written, to cause you harm. Verbal abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following: