What Is Gender-Based Violence?
Understanding GBV is the first step toward prevention and supporting survivors.
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harm committed against a person because of their gender. It is rooted in unequal power dynamics and societal norms that perpetuate control, coercion, and abuse.
GBV can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or background.
Forms of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence encompasses a wide range of harmful behaviors and actions.
Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence
Physical, emotional, or psychological abuse by a current or former partner or spouse.
Sexual Assault or Abuse
Any sexual act committed without consent, including rape, attempted rape, and unwanted sexual contact.
Stalking
Repeated harassment, surveillance, threats, or unwanted contact that causes fear or safety concerns.
Harassment or Coercive Control
Patterns of behavior designed to intimidate, isolate, or control another person.
Emotional, Psychological, or Financial Abuse
Non-physical forms of abuse including manipulation, threats, isolation, and controlling finances.
Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Using technology to stalk, harass, monitor, or control another person.
Reproductive Coercion
Behavior that interferes with a person's reproductive autonomy and decision-making.
Why It Matters
Gender-based violence is both a personal and systemic issue. Survivors often face barriers to safety, justice, and healing—including fear, stigma, lack of information, and limited access to legal or support services.
At The Gender Violence Project, we believe that understanding GBV is the first step toward prevention, accountability, and meaningful support for survivors.
The Scope of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence is not rare, isolated, or limited to one type of harm. It affects millions of people across the United States every year.
women in the U.S. have experienced severe intimate partner violence
men in the U.S. have experienced severe intimate partner violence
women have experienced stalking in their lifetime
men have experienced stalking in their lifetime
Intimate partner violence is one of the leading causes of serious injury for women, and many survivors experience repeated abuse before ever seeking help.
Homicide is a leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in the United States, with the majority of those deaths linked to intimate partner violence.
More than half of women killed by an intimate partner were previously stalked, threatened, or abused—highlighting how violence often escalates when warning signs are missed or ignored.
Economic abuse is present in the vast majority of abusive relationships, limiting survivors' access to money, employment, housing, or education.
Gender-based violence is significantly underreported. Many survivors do not report abuse due to fear of retaliation, lack of trust in systems, immigration concerns, financial dependence, or concern that they will not be believed.
Why These Facts Matter
Gender-based violence is not only a private issue—it is a public health, safety, and justice issue. Survivors often navigate complex systems involving law enforcement, healthcare, housing, and courts, frequently without clear guidance or support.
Understanding the full scope of GBV helps:
- Identify patterns before violence escalates
- Reduce stigma around seeking help
- Improve survivor-centered responses
- Strengthen prevention and accountability efforts
Our Belief
Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe, Supported, and Empowered
If you or someone you know needs support, resources are available.