Gender-based violence linked to adverse childhood experiences

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I wish to state my dissatisfaction with the Gleaner article titled ‘Neglect of vulnerable men blamed for gender-based violence’ published on March 12, 2020, in which I was quoted. The title is grossly misleading and shifts the focus to vulnerable men rather than the plight and alarming case of gender-based violence.

While I was accurately quoted by your reporter as stating “I think that a lot of men are feeling vulnerable, feeling displaced” and “I think some of what we are seeing is a backlash. When men feel disempowered ... when men feel that they don’t have an opportunity, then they take it out (on the women)”, my words and meaning were taken out of context.

In addition, the title distracts the reader from the facts, which are that most victims of gender-based violence are women.

The facts are:

n One in four Jamaican women has been abused by her male partner.

n 28 per cent of Jamaican women have experienced intimate-partner violence.

n More than seven per cent of Jamaican women are sexually abused by a male partner.

ANY SECTOR

Abusers can be anyone of any age, ethnicity, or economic level, including but not limited to the well-educated, professional and non-professional.

Abusers can come from any sector of society, including: young, old, rich, poor, black, white, Asian, any ethnic group, rural, urban, or inner city. However, gender inequality and damaging stereotypes of women being weaker, less valuable members of the society often lead to abuse.

Gender-based violence in men and women is linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACE) and there is a very high rate of ACE in the Caribbean. Therefore, it is equally important for us to protect our children from ACE.

Let me reiterate that we are united in the fight against gender-based violence.

OPAL PALMER ADISA

Director

Institute of Gender

and Development Studies

The University of the West Indies