In the words of Shu Hang: “We hope to see more men actively participate in the fight against gender-based violence”

Shu Hang: A Leader in Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention

Shu Hang worked with a survivor about to go to court to create a safety plan at the shelter in 2016. Photo: Courtesy photo of Shu Hang

Shu Hang is the Director of the Yunnan Mingxin Social Work Service Center in Wuhua District, Kunming City, in southwest China. The Service Center was established in 2014, to provide services for the prevention and intervention of domestic violence. Through a domestic violence hotline and on-site services, the Service Center has provided 3,858 services to 482 domestic violence survivors. It also operates Nestling House, a hidden shelter in collaboration with the Yunnan Provincial Women’s Federation, providing 2,418 days of protection to 101 abused women and their relatives. In April 2023, Yunnan Mingxin Social Work Service Center joined UN Women China’s Civil Society Organization (CSO) Supporting Initiative which supports CSOs in strengthening their institutional resilience and strategic development.

A Day in the Life of a Front-line Domestic Violence Social Worker

A day in the life of a front-line domestic violence social worker is unpredictable because we can get calls from people in need at any time. Some days, we accompany survivors to court, help pick up their kids from school, collaborate with relevant agencies to address complex cases, and conduct therapy sessions for survivors and abusers. Given that over 95 per cent of the cases we deal with involve male perpetrators, as a male social worker, I’m the one to communicate and engage with many of them.

Prevention, Intervention, and Reintegration: Our Approach to Domestic Violence Services

While the tasks change daily, our organization follows a ‘Prevention-Intervention-Reintegration’ system for domestic violence services. To prevent domestic violence cases, we partner with local civil affairs bureaus and schools to teach the concepts of gender equality and non-violent communication at marriage registration offices and in classrooms. We also train front-line service-providers from women’s federations and community organizations to better understand domestic violence survivors’ circumstances and support them without causing additional harm.

When domestic violence has already happened, our main goal with intervention is to stop the violence and reduce its harm. Survivors typically need medical help, legal assessments, shelter, assistance with divorce and emotional support. The intervention phase is urgent and usually lasts about six months.

The most challenging part is helping survivors recover from the trauma of domestic violence. Some may have heard of ‘Battered Woman Syndrome,’ where long-term exposure to violence erodes one’s confidence and self-sufficiency. Reintegration aims to help survivors regain independence by rebuilding confidence, finding work, and recreating the support system between them and their loved ones. Reintegration is a long process. The longest journey has been around seven to eight years among the individuals we assist.

Challenges in the Field of Domestic Violence

For me, working in the field of domestic violence comes with three major challenges. Firstly, it’s very difficult to challenge the deeply ingrained societal norms and gender biases that fuel gender-based violence. As we dig deeper into our work, we encounter many biases, such as the belief in male dominance – that men are more powerful than women, and women are subordinate to the family. If we can’t break down these biases, survivors of domestic violence and gender-based violence will continue to face societal pressure.

Secondly, coordinating efforts among government departments and agencies, including women’s federations, civil affairs bureaus, police, courts, prosecutors, hospitals, communities, schools, and social organizations during domestic violence intervention can be tricky. Any miscommunication in the coordination can directly impact the effectiveness of our interventions.

Lastly, social workers need to improve their gender awareness and understanding of gender-based violence. Social workers’ lack of a gender perspective sometimes leads to biases against domestic violence survivors, making it hard to empathize and, inadvertently, say things that can hurt those seeking help.

Increasing Male Engagement in Gender Equality and Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Initially, as a male social worker, I held gender biases and struggled to understand the challenges faced by abused women and their hesitations to leave their abusers. The more I learned and the more work experience I gained, I gradually began to understand the root causes of gender-based violence and survivors’ complex situations, such as their fear of exposing family issues publicly, economic dependence on abusers, and the lack of social support mechanisms for them to sever ties with their abusers.

We encourage more men and boys to engage in activities that promote gender equality and address gender-based violence. We had some successful initiatives like men-led volunteer teams advocating for gender equality, integrating gender education into relationship communication courses, and including discussions on gender issues and domestic violence in local matchmaking events. In the future, we hope to see more men actively participate in the fight against gender-based violence through their practical actions.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs:

1. No Poverty (SDG 1)
2. Gender Equality (SDG 5)
3. Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
4. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

Targets:

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1)
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation (SDG 5)
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status (SDG 10)
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere (SDG 16)

Indicators:

• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1)
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age (SDG 5)
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities (SDG 10)
• Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age (SDG 16)

Analysis:

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are:

• No Poverty (SDG 1)
• Gender Equality (SDG 5)
• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
• Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1)
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation (SDG 5)
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status (SDG 10)
• Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere (SDG 16)

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable (SDG 1)
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age (SDG 5)
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities (SDG 10)
• Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age (SDG 16)

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators