Am I experiencing Physical GBV?

When someone uses physical force to hurt you – whether it’s something like pinching or as extreme as burning or even killing because of your sexual orientation, gender identity, expression and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), that is a type of gender-based violence (GBV). It targets you because of who you are and is meant to cause harm and fear.

Intimate & Non-intimate
Physical Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is like when you are in a romantic relationship or even just dating, and your partner starts using a physical force such as grabbing your arm or pulling you, to control you – like they do not want what you are wearing or how you are acting.

Non-intimate physical violence (NIPV) is when a family member or close to you but not your romantic partner, hurts you physically. If you are a member of LGBTQ community and have come out, a family member can react with anger, shame and disappointment using physical force like slapping, hitting, even worse to express their disapproval of your gender identity or sexual orientation. This violence is used to “correct” or punish you but more of a control and discrimination.

These are guides for you to identify physical violence:

• “I was beaten by my partner using their hands or other objects”

• “I was beaten by my parents/relatives/friends because of my SOGIESC”

• “My partner/relatives/friends bit me out of anger/frustration”

• “My partner/relatives/friends tied me as a way of punishing me for expressing and living who I am.”

• “My partner/relatives/friends broke my hand/foot/any part of my body”

• “My partner/relatives/friends deliberately burned my skin/hair”

Double/Triple/ Multiple Burden

• “As a woman, I am expected to single-handedly care for my husband and children, and manage household responsibilities, all while maintaining a paying job.”

I was physically Intimidated and/or harassed

• “My partner / family / friend / a stranger blocked me from leaving a certain place or situation, making me uncomfortable”

• “I received unwanted physical contact by my partner / family / friend / colleague / boss / a stranger”

• “Threats of physical harm were made by my partner / family / friend / colleague / boss / a stranger because of my SOGIESC”

To read and understand more about these physical acts of gender-based violence, you may access this:

GBV Prevention & Response Materials