Violence Against Women and Girls Is a Multifaceted Problem

"Violence is an intersectional problem. Kimberlé Crenshaw's foundational work on intersectionality established that sexism does not operate in isolation, but intersects with oppressions based on race, disability, class, and sexual orientation to produce distinct challenges and lived experiences."

"A 2023 systematic review found that women with disabilities face elevated rates of intimate partner violence across every form: physical, sexual, psychological, and financial. They also encounter compounding barriers to help-seeking, including physical dependence on their abusers and institutional disbelief."

"A 2024 nationally representative U.S. survey found that LGBT+ women were twice as likely as non-LGBT+ women to report recent intimate partner violence."

Violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a significant human rights issue, with one in three women experiencing violence globally. However, the risk is not uniform; factors such as racism, classism, and ableism intersect with sexism, leading to varied experiences and barriers to safety. Economic dependence exacerbates the situation, particularly for marginalized women. Behavioral science provides tools to translate evidence into actionable change, emphasizing the need to understand the complexities of communities and institutions involved in addressing VAWG.

Read at Psychology Today