We live in a society where many attitudes, beliefs, practices and policies discriminate against women on the basis of gender. Violence against women must be examined within the individual, institutional, cultural and systemic levels, and accountability established at each. Violence against women occurs as the violation of individuals, but exists s a symptom of a social context that perpetuates women's vulnerability. Attitudes, as well as behaviours, of society need to be altered for positive change to occur. By being exposed to violence, children suffer from tremendous emotional abuse.
Children learn that violence is acceptable behaviour.
This reality needs to be unlearned and replaced with new, safe, unharmful ways of existing in the world. Changing ways is a vital part of breaking the intergenerational cycle of abuse. The words of one woman who is coming to terms with her experience from childhood can show us how much work it takes to deal with an abusive past.