Awareness Course on Domestic Violence Among Iraqi Society Groups
As part of the activities of the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit, a two-day awareness course was held, led by. Prof. Dr. Waleed Aziz, in collaboration with the Human Rights Unit represented by. Prof. Dr. Reem Abdulrahim, and the Women’s Affairs Unit represented by Lecturer Dr. Sabrin Salim Abdulkarim.
Day One
Lecture (1) was delivered by Dr. Waleed Aziz, Head of the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Unit, titled “Domestic Violence.”
Day Two
Lecture (2) was delivered by Lecturer Dr. Sabrin, titled “Violence Against Elderly Women.”
Lecture (3) was delivered by Dr. Reem Abdulrahim, titled “No to Violence Against Children.”
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(1) Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is any behavior, action, or failure to act within the family that causes physical, psychological, sexual, or financial harm or suffering to one of its members.
The World Health Organization confirms that domestic violence represents one of the greatest risks to the physical and mental health of women and children.
Types of Domestic Violence
1. Physical violence: includes beating, burning, or using tools to harm the victim.
2. Psychological or emotional violence (emotional neglect and psychological abuse): such as insult, threats, isolation, belittling, or threatening divorce.
3. Sexual violence: forcing a family member into unwanted or degrading sexual acts.
4. Economic violence: preventing an individual from accessing money or income sources.
5. Neglect: deprivation of care, food, education, or psychological support.
Causes of Domestic Violence
• Individual and psychological causes: past exposure to violence, untreated psychological disorders, substance and alcohol abuse.
• Family causes: poor communication skills, lack of mutual respect, financial stress.
• Social and cultural factors: false beliefs that men have absolute authority over women and children, social tolerance of certain violent behaviors (“normalizing violence”), unclear or non-deterrent laws.
Approaches to addressing domestic violence vary among societies but play a major role in protecting victims and preventing repeated abuse.
Historically, domestic violence was viewed as a private family matter, not requiring government or legal intervention. Police officers often refrained from arresting offenders, instead advising the couple or asking one party to leave the home temporarily. Courts also hesitated to impose serious penalties, as such offenses were considered misdemeanors.
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(2) Violence Against Elderly Women
This issue represents an important humanitarian concern involving a group often neglected despite their need for care—elderly women.
Violence against elderly women is a serious violation of dignity and rights, taking many forms that may go unnoticed or unreported.
Forms of Violence Against Elderly Women
• Physical violence: beating, pushing, deliberate harm; physical neglect such as lack of food or medication.
• Psychological violence: insults, humiliation, belittling, social isolation, threats of eviction or preventing her from seeing her grandchildren.
• Economic violence: controlling her pension, seizing her property, or denying her inheritance.
• Health-related violence: preventing her from seeing a doctor or withholding appropriate treatment.
Family’s Role in Addressing the Issue
Families should respect elderly women, value their experience, and involve them in decisions related to their lives. They must also ensure health care and psychological support.
At the end of the lecture, Dr. Sabrin recommended:
• Promoting a culture of respect and compassion within families.
• Training caregivers on how to support the elderly.
• Supporting initiatives that provide home-care services for elderly women.
• Establishing a specialized hotline for complaints by elderly women.
• Encouraging their participation in social activities to reduce isolation.
The lecture concluded that violence against elderly women is not an individual problem, but a societal issue requiring cooperation among families, communities, and health and legal institutions.
Every elderly woman has the full right to a dignified life, care, and respect.
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(3) No to Violence Against Children
The family may be a source of violence against children through scolding, criticism, humiliation, and ignoring encouraging or supportive words. Assigning a child tasks beyond their ability or forcing them to achieve goals that the parents themselves could not achieve may also generate violence in children.
Parents’ substance or alcohol abuse is also considered a major form of domestic violence. Parenting plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s personality and correcting behavior.
Feelings of Inferiority
This is more common among orphans or illegitimate children, who may lack guidance and care, leading to feelings of resentment toward society, increased aggression, and disobedience. Poor treatment at home or school intensifies these behaviors. Therefore, protecting the child’s emotional well-being is essential to prevent such feelings from turning into motives for violence.
Substance abuse affects mental and physical functioning and inhibits control centers in the brain, making individuals more violent and more prone to aggression without awareness.
Negative Emotions
Negative emotions are among the strongest drivers of violence—whether due to lack of self-confidence, jealousy, uncontrolled anger, or feeling socially or economically inferior. Such individuals often display violent reactions toward others.
Consequences of Violence Against Children
One of the noted outcomes is delayed speech. Children with speech delays tend to be more aggressive due to their inability to communicate or make themselves understood.