Combatting Gender-Based Violence: Perspectives from Social Work, Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Medical Anthropology

Abstract

Though some doctors in various parts of the world lack a sense of sophistication and/or finesse in their patient-doctor relations, they find creative ways to address the unique and complex cases of sexual assault that come into their examination room. Importantly, however, some doctors are seemingly unaware of the complex set of uses that potentiate gender-based violence (GBV), and in minimizing the problem, they offer few solutions, suggesting the need for support teams that consist of a variety of professionals: social workers, lawyers, activists, and nurses. This chapter presents cases that depict of how structural violence is located on the body, highlighting how institutions and support systems are inherently violence against women, deepening the culture and norms around GBV.