What’s in a label? Rethinking how we talk about gender-based violence – The Conversation

Report on Language and Gender-Based Violence: Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Gender-based violence (GBV), encompassing sexual, physical, mental, and economic abuse, disproportionately affects women and girls in Canada. The terminology used to describe individuals impacted by GBV—such as “victim,” “survivor,” and “person with lived experience”—holds significant power. These labels influence dignity, stigma, and the mobilization of movements, directly relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Understanding Gender-Based Violence and Its Context

• GBV includes coercive control, sexual assault, child marriages, and technology-facilitated violence.
• In Canada, GBV disproportionately impacts women and girls, highlighting the urgent need for gender equality and protection of human rights.
• Addressing GBV aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting mental and physical health.

The Importance of Language in Addressing GBV

Language shapes perceptions and responses to GBV. Intentional use of terminology supports violence prevention, collective action, and harm reduction, contributing to SDG 5 and SDG 16. Two foundational principles guide respectful language use:

1. Follow the lead of individuals with lived experience in how they describe their own experiences.
2. Respect community-specific terms rooted in historical and cultural contexts without imposing external translations.

Analysis of Key Labels

‘Victim’: Revealing Harm and Its Limitations

• “Victim” centers on the harm experienced and has historical roots in the women’s rights movement to evoke sympathy and legal action.
• Research shows this label can frame individuals as needing protection rather than recognizing their knowledge and capability.
• The “perfect victim” stereotype excludes marginalized groups, such as Black women and women with disabilities, reinforcing discrimination and disbelief.
• Some individuals embrace the term “victim” as an honest reflection of their experience, underscoring the complexity of identity in GBV contexts.

This discussion supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by acknowledging diverse experiences and combating stigma.

‘Survivor’: Emphasizing Resilience and Its Challenges

• “Survivor” highlights empowerment and resilience, often perceived more positively than “victim.”
• For men experiencing sexual violence, “survivor” can facilitate acknowledgment in socially discouraged contexts.
• However, this label may shift focus from perpetrators to expectations of strength and recovery, which is not always linear.
• Pressure to “get over” trauma can stigmatize those with different healing processes and obscure systemic issues behind GBV.
• The combined term “victim-survivor” attempts to bridge the binary but may carry pressures from both labels.

These considerations align with SDG 3 by recognizing mental health complexities and SDG 16 by addressing systemic violence.

Person-First Language: Respecting Individuality or Obscuring Systemic Issues?

• Person-first language (e.g., “individual who experienced GBV”) prioritizes the person over the label, affirming dignity and individuality.
• This approach emerged from disability activism and reflects a broader understanding of identity beyond violence.
• Potential drawbacks include unintentionally framing identity as negative and individualizing violence, which can obscure social and political structures.
• Effective use depends on balancing recognition of personal experience with systemic accountability.

Person-first language supports SDG 10 by promoting inclusion and SDG 16 by encouraging systemic change.

Practical Guidance for Language Use in GBV Contexts

1. Recognize that no single label fully captures the complexity of GBV experiences.
2. Use language intentionally, considering the purpose and impact of labels on assumptions about harm and agency.
3. Allow for multiplicity and evolution of terms, respecting individual and community preferences.
4. In institutional settings, challenge harmful assumptions even when terminology is constrained.
5. Prioritize language that reflects care, respect, and acknowledgment of both personal and systemic realities.

These practices contribute to the achievement of SDG 5 by promoting gender equality and SDG 16 by fostering peaceful and inclusive societies.

Conclusion

Intentional and respectful language use is a critical component in the global effort to dismantle gender-based violence. By aligning terminology with the Sustainable Development Goals—especially SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)—stakeholders can enhance dignity, reduce stigma, and support systemic change. Ultimately, language is a powerful tool in moving toward a world where GBV is actively named, addressed, and eradicated.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article focuses on gender-based violence (GBV), which disproportionately impacts women and girls, directly relating to achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The discussion on legal recognition, terminology in the justice system, and systemic issues of GBV connects to promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice, and building effective institutions.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • GBV includes mental and physical abuse, affecting health and well-being, linking to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
   • Target 5.3: Eliminate harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicators related to SDG 5:
   • Proportion of women and girls subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner or sexual violence by others, measured through surveys and reports.
   • Prevalence of child marriages, as the article mentions child marriages as a form of GBV.
2. Indicators related to SDG 16:
   • Number of victims of intentional homicide, by sex and age, to track femicide and other gender-based killings.
   • Proportion of victims who report their victimization to competent authorities, reflecting access to justice and trust in institutions.
3. Indicators related to SDG 3:
   • Prevalence of mental health conditions related to GBV, such as depression and anxiety, though implied through discussion of mental abuse and healing processes.
4. Additional Implied Indicators:
   • Use and acceptance of respectful and empowering language in institutional and social contexts as a qualitative measure of social change and stigma reduction.
   • Rates of reporting and recognition of GBV cases in digital and in-person contexts, reflecting evolving forms of violence.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: theconversation.com