Gender Inequity Has an Effect on Abuse Victims

Irving says culture and socialization that makes males seem superior to females, as well as a lack of opportunity to discuss the issue of abuse openly, often limits victims’ awareness, or makes them feel that somehow sexual or other forms of abuse are largely a matter of fate.

Michelle Irving

Michelle Irving, Founder, Productive Organization for Women in Action

“We live in a society that has an unequal view of gender and so the value that is placed on boys are different from those that are placed on girls, and a lot of time the values that are placed on boys are the ones that as the decision-makers, take whatever you want, there are no consequences for your actions, and you are the power broker and the values that are placed on girls are that they should listen to what men say, boys say, and be accepting of whatever they are offering. So you have to understand that this is social-conditioning and sometimes in some cultures it’s far more rooted in that others there’s absolutely no discussion on sex, there’s no discussion on any kind of violation and on any kind of abuse because that limits your awareness. You don’t know that that is what is happening to you. You feel that that is the norm that should happen because you’re a woman and this is what you were born for.”