Challenge
Domestic abuse is a growing epidemic in modern society. And has only gotten worse since the 2020 pandemic. In Lebanon, 18 women succumbed to their injuries from domestic violence in 2021. The MENA region too is not exempt from this, as 1-in-3 married women experiences physical or sexual abuse by their partner. Psychologists say it’s a pattern that develops and becomes acceptable by the abuser and worse, the victim.
The unique challenge we’re facing here is that the topic of abuse is treated as taboo in the MENA and Levant regions. Why? Because it’s a Patriarchal society. Where men dominate the societal hierarchy. Making women feel scared and/or ashamed to report it. So, trying to have a conversation about this in the public domain is not taken very well.
INSIGHT
Abuse, like an unwelcome guest, does not simply break into your life, create havoc, and then leave in an isolated incident. Once you let it in, it becomes easier for it to happen again and again—until it becomes the norm for both the perpetrator and the victim. Setting the scene for a deadly pattern to take hold.
IDEA
The truth is, for people living this daily, terrifying nightmare, the abuse won’t just disappear on its own. It becomes an addiction to the abuser. And a sad way of life for the victim. The only way to break this pattern of abuse is for victims to reach out to KAFA directly, or through someone they trust to get the help and support they need.