Violence against women is a well-known and documented phenomena for thousands of years. Ever since the female daughter became a commodity to be sold and bartered by the father, men have turned women into their chattel. Most human societies, religious establishments and cultures, have created laws and edicts turning males into masters and women into property.

It was only in the early 70's of the Twentieth Century, that women all over the world stood up and said: No More Violence!

Violence against women is in the daily vernacular naming a woman a slut, a bitch, a hag, a piece of ass, referring to lovemaking as bashing, banging, screwing. Songs like: "killing you softly with my love" or "each man kills the thing he loves...". Violence against women is stalking, sexual harassment, snide remarks and rape.

Violence against women is jealousy & possession in a casual or spousal relationship, controlling relationships with friends and family, deciding what you may or may not wear, whether and where you can work, taking charge of your money and finances. It is the blatant acceptance that the male is the head of the family, who can put down his partner's personality, curb her freedom, swear, give her an "educational" slap, a black eye to show who is the boss, to hit her with a belt, whip, tennis racquet or any available vase. To threaten to kill her with any sharp instrument around the house - knife, scissors, screwdriver, hammer, guns of any kind. Another favorite is choking a woman till she faints.

The victims are often listless, depressed and very frightened. Suicide attempts among abused women are frequent as are miscarriages and deliveries of deformed or defective children.

Children exposed to violence in their homes undergo emotional and traumatic experiences. Many revert to alcohol or drugs and when they grow up a large percentage of the boys will become violent spouses. Some boys are violent in kindergarten and school. These men will depict a violent, macho, behavior on the road, in football stadiums, in human relations.

Society must purge itself of the scourge of violence: the police, judiciary, social welfare authorities, the medical establishment, the educational system, leaders in the community, clergy, Rabbis, Kadis - we must all be actively committed to stop violence against women and consequently against children.

Violence starts with the raised voice, the raised arm the raised gun. it is the problem of our entire society.

Ruth Rasnic

Executive Director
L.O. - Combat Violence against Women