CITIZENS’ INITIATIVE AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (CIDV)

In 2007, a number of human rights organisations, network organisations, and human rights activists jointly formed a citizens’ coalition named “Citizens’ Initiative Against Domestic Violence (CIDV)”. CIDV is a network that is committed to prevent domestic violence against women. Every member organisation and individual involved in this initiative is actively working to protect the rights of women and prevent domestic violence against women.

Goal:
The main goal of this coalition is to reform, enact, and implement laws to prevent domestic violence by recognising domestic violence against women as a legal crime, and a violation of fundamental human rights and civil rights.

Purpose:

  • Enactment of a specific law on domestic violence
  • Proper implementation of the law
  • Dissemination of law
  • Creating awareness and public dialogue
  • Capacity building of the institutions and professionals involved in the implementation of the law
  • Collaboration between government and non-government organisations

CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES

  • If you believe you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call 999 immediately for emergencies or any of the following hotlines for support and advice:

    What is domestic violence?

    Domestic violence, as defined in Section 3 of the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, is the physical, psychological, sexual or economic abuse of a woman or child by any person in their family with whom the victim is, or has been, in a family relationship. It is not limited to physical violence, and extends to any behavior which purports to gain or maintain control or power over an intimate family member. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone. Instances of domestic violence rarely occur in isolation. It is most often a pattern of abusive behavior which, over time, will escalate in frequency and severity. This may culminate in severe injury or, in some cases, death.  Domestic violence is never the fault of the person on whom it is being perpetrated.

    Who is affected?

    Anyone can be a victim, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It affects people of all socioeconomic statuses and education levels.  Rates of domestic violence in Bangladesh are alarmingly high. A 2015 survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of statistics found that over 70% of married women and girls have been subject to intimate partner violence. Despite this, the survey found that most victims had never told anyone and fewer than 3% took legal action. This comes in the face of Bangladesh’s national plan to foster “a society without violence against women and children by 2025.”

    Forms of Domestic Violence

    • Psychological Abuse: Name-calling, threats, manipulation, blame
    • Economic Abuse: Controlling your access to money or resources. Abusers may stop victims from working, forcibly take their wages, or put them in debt.
    • Sexual Abuse: Abusers can manipulate or coerce victims into performing sexual acts that they do not consent to.
    • Coercive Control: Abusers may use a pattern of behaviour over time to exert power and control over the victim.
    • Physical Abuse: Beating, restraining, throwing objects, pinching, shoving, slapping etc.
    • Technological Abuse: Abusers may send threatening text messages or make phone calls to intimidate. They may confiscate the victim’s mobile device, demand or limit their access to it. They may also threaten to share compromising photographs of the victim on the internet.

    What are some signs of domestic and family violence?

    There are many signs of an abusive relationship. The person subjected to violence might feel they have done something wrong, or something to cause the violence or abuse. This is not true. Violence and abuse is never ok. It is not the victim’s fault. And it is against the law. seem afraid of their partner or is always anxious to please their partner stop seeing friends and family have become anxious, depressed, withdrawn or have lost their confidence have unexplained physical injuries say their partner is jealous, possessive or has a bad temper be reluctant to leave their children with her partner feel they have to ask permission to do anything or spend money say their partner controls their money say their partner pressures or forces them to do sexual things.

The effects of domestic and family violence on a child’s wellbeing and development can be long-lasting and complex. Being a witness to violence and abuse is a distressing experience for children, whether or not the violence is directed at them. Children exposed to domestic and family violence are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult, such as an older relative or a school teacher, about what is happening at home. Telling schools or childcare centres about the violence, along with school parents you can trust, can be helpful. They can look out for signs of escalation and also help with caring for your child’s emotional needs. A community of care helps keep children safe. It is important to ensure that the child has a strong support system and pathways of social engagement. Sometimes the social conditions that children are living in, such as living in poverty or where families are isolated from other networks, can have a negative impact on their ability to recover.

CIDV Supporting Children