Two experts explain it and provide keys to prevent it and protect children and women.
Among the multiple forms of violence that exist and are exercised against women is vicarious violence, described by , as more cruel and merciless because it causes irreparable damage that emotionally destroys the woman.
What is it and how is it evident?
In vicarious violence the father exercises extreme aggression against his children, sometimes causing their death and using particularly cruel resources to dispose of the bodies.
In many cases the objective behind this type of violence is harming women through their loved ones, especially his daughters and sons. Also control and dominate over women with a maximum display of possession in a power relationship that is based on inequality.
The desire to cause harm to your partner or ex-partner at all costs overcomes any affection you may feel for them.
Another type of vicarious violence
Another way of presenting this type of violence is with the manipulation of daughters or sons so that they turn against the mother or even attack her. In this case, the abuser takes advantage of the fragility of the minors, violating and undermining their physical or psychological integrity, perpetuating irreparable damage and making them victims of gender violence.
Legal Medicine reported that in In the first quarter of 2022, 163 minors were murdered in Colombia. Of that figure, 131 are children and The ages at which homicides were most recorded were between 15 and 17 years old with 115 murders, from 10 to 14 years with 11 deaths and from 0 to 4 years with three murders. Between the Responsible for these homicides are family members, friends, strangers, illegal armed groups and common criminals.
Why is it called vicarious violence?
Because one person is replaced by another to exercise the actionin this case the daughters or sons who are murdered to destroy the mother’s life, or who are turned against the mother to cause permanent damage that in many cases leads to suicide.
What is the challenge in fighting vicarious violence?
The teachers consider that the role of society is essential, in that sense, they must become aware of the reality of gender violence, not admit denial and consider it as an apology for violence. Education in all academic areas is also essential in the training of new generations.
How to protect children?
When a man threatens a woman to take away her daughters or sons, he is giving clear signs of vicarious violence. and this should set off all the alarms. The protection of victims of gender violence is essential, recognizing that an abuser can never be a good father.