Re-evaluating perceptions of domestic violence

By Ma Kyung-hee

The term "domestic violence" may conjure up certain images, such as a battered and bruised woman or a child crouching in a corner covering his/her face. In these images, the woman is incapacitated as a mother, and the child is a bewildered bystander. Both are passive victims.

Unfortunately, we all approach domestic violence with preconceived notions built upon stereotypical narratives of who the victims are, what they have suffered, and what capacities they possess. These assumptions often hinder us from developing a fuller understanding of domestic violence. In order to make Korea a domestic violence-free country, we must examine our preconceived notions and re-conceptualize domestic violence with more accurate information.

Domestic violence and abuse are widespread, affecting thousands of Korean women annually. According to Korean government data, 514,006 calls were made in 2021 for crisis counseling and emergency aid related to domestic violence, an 8-percent increase from the previous year. Approximately, 80 percent of violent acts were committed by current and former male spouses. Despite its prevalence, domestic violence is often difficult to accurately quantify because it is largely hidden. Furthermore, the available data does not reflect the context in which violence occurs, relegating harm inflicted by violent acts to a simple frequency count. This tendency to under-report and de-contextualize violence downplays its seriousness. It also impedes the implementation of effective measures to reduce domestic violence. Societal-level conversations are urgently needed to support those experiencing domestic violence and promulgate their stories in a safe space.

Domestic violence is primarily viewed as a private matter, occurring at home behind closed doors. In reality, it is anchored around social/cultural contexts that justify abusive behavior against women. Domestic violence operates upon patriarchal beliefs that entitle men to exercise power and control in their families, reinforcing gender inequalities. These beliefs normalize violence against women and render perpetrators unaccountable for their actions. In a rigid patriarchal structure, women internalize prescribed gender roles through socialization, and this hinders women from protecting themselves in abusive relationships. Additionally, Korea's pro-family culture adds pressure to remain in toxic relationships. Situating women's experiences into larger social/cultural contexts helps to re-conceptualize problems with a fresh perspective and abandon victim-blaming narratives.

Existing studies tend to focus on physical incidents, but domestic violence can go beyond direct physical assaults. Some perpetrators use multiple tactics (i.e., intimidation, humiliation, credible threats of harm, isolation, monitoring of communications and activities, and financial abuse) to undermine their victims' sense of autonomy and coerce them into complete obedience in service of their own needs. Under coercive control, victims live in a heightened state of fear and anxiety, constantly self-policing behaviors to not provoke perpetrators. Non-physical aggression can be just as dangerous as physical aggression, if not worse. Focusing on the fuller nature of such violence is an important step towards reforming practices with improved intervention and fuller recovery for victims.

Media representation of women and children in episodes of domestic violence predominately portrays them as passive victims lacking agency and self-efficacy. However, this is contradicted by research. For example, Emma Katz's recent scholarship explores how victims develop strategies to cope and resist abuse and achieve some semblance of happiness post-separation. Similar to adults, child victims influence the world around them by constructing meaning from their experiences and acting purposefully. Further, they engage in recovery efforts and create a new course of life through mutual care and support in mother-child relationships. Therefore, media portrayal of domestic violence victims should be fair, accurate, and empowering in ways of fortifying victims' sense of autonomy and self-determination and recognizing their agency.

A recent Korean government report revealed that in 2021, there were 65 domestic violence shelters for women across the country, and 1,547 women were housed for a short or long term. After leaving, nearly 30 percent of them returned home to perpetrators. In addition to the shortage of facilities, precarious living conditions and inadequate services pose another problem. Facilities may house victims in the same space, irrespective of the length or severity of domestic violence or mental health conditions. Victims experiencing depression, complex trauma, and/or suicidal ideation need special care, but unfortunately, it is often not provided.

Amid escalating gender-based conflicts and crime in Korea, the country is slowly acknowledging that domestic violence is a core social problem requiring extensive individual and societal efforts. We as individuals must endeavor to advance our understanding by re-examining our default assumptions. Likewise, society must re-evaluate long-held cultural beliefs about gender norms entrenched in patriarchy and create space for change. Gender issues are seen as synonymous with women's issues, but they affect all members of Korean society. Recognizing this is a crucial step towards creating a strong nation where all members feel safe and are treated with respect and dignity.

Ma Kyung-hee is an editor and researcher specializing in mental health. This article was prepared in celebration of International Women's Day.