As PCRC interns, we participated in a thought-provoking workshop on domestic violence, led by Ainav Rabinowitz, a Fulbright Research Scholar. Ainav’s work explores the link between domestic violence (DV) and political system, a perspective that’s not often discussed.
We began the workshop by sharing our initial thoughts on what comes to mind when we hear the term “domestic violence.” Most of us immediately thought of physical violence, unsafe homes, and abusive intimate relationships. However, as the discussion progressed, we realized how complex and multifaceted domestic violence truly is. We explored its many forms—child abuse, elder abuse, sexual violence, psychological manipulation, emotional control, economic abuse, and even honor killings.
One of the most shocking aspects of the workshop was the statistics shared with us. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 48% of women have experienced some form of abuse, including intimate partner violence, stalking, and harassment. What stood out most was that 25% of women in BiH believe that domestic violence is a private issue to be dealt with within the family. This sparked a larger conversation about the societal and political dimensions of domestic violence. Why do some still see DV as a family issue rather than a societal one? We began to understand that domestic violence is not just a personal matter—it is inherently political.
The government’s role in shaping laws related to marriage, citizenship, legal protections, and economic systems plays a significant part in how domestic violence occurs, is prevented, tackled, and addressed. We discussed how a country’s political system, along with its views on sovereignty, identity, and social structure, influences the prevalence of domestic violence. Ultimately, we came to realize that the occurrence of domestic violence is, in fact, a widespread form of violence that is often ignored or overlooked.
During the workshop, we brainstormed ideas for tackling domestic violence through education and awareness. We discussed three prompts: creating a lesson plan for a specific audience, designing an awareness campaign, and developing a research project on DV. The conversation sparked debates, particularly around whether social media is an effective tool for raising awareness. We also explored how to target specific age groups in lesson plans and engage young people in meaningful discussions about the issue.
By the end of the workshop, we all left with a deeper understanding of the many facets of domestic violence and its far-reaching impact. It became clear that domestic violence is not just a private matter to be handled behind closed doors; it is a public issue that requires systemic change and greater awareness.