Dennis Coke
Asley Blake and his wife Cora, escorting their great- granddaughter Cristal, to the Violence Against Women church service at the Hagley Park Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kingston, yesterday.Glenda Anderson, Staff Reporter
Many of the diseases and physical ailments which are common to females may have their roots in domestic violence and abuse.
This is so according to a 1994 Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) health report which identified disorders such as pelvic inflammation, chronic pelvic pain, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and permanent or partial incapacity, among others, as evidence of the physical and emotional impact of domestic abuse.
The information comes against the background of an increase in domestic violence in recent times and an observation by local researchers and agitators like Faith Webster of the Women's Bureau that while the incidence may be notable, too many individuals are not aware of the connection to long-term emotional trauma. The report noted that "around the world at least one woman in every three has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime."
As such, gender-based violence is increasingly being recognised as a major public health concern.
In Jamaica, local psychologist Dr. Wendel Abel explained that although many of the conditions are stress-related illnesses, they are not uncommon to victims of domestic violence who are usually depressed.
"Very often the domestic violence is prolonged and many women actually feel trapped, they may fear embarrassment or derision from other people or may have children. Many feel depressed, unhappy and anxious and these illnesses often occur with someone who is depressed," he said.
Speaking recently, Minister of Tourism and Sport, Portia Simpson Miller said "Health professionals are increasingly being faced by women suffering from physical injuries and ailments as well as crippling depression as a consequence of violence."
