Our vision

Intimate partner violence consists of attacks and controlling behavior directed at previous and current partners. Violent behavior is not necessarily physical; it can be psychological in nature and includes stalking, harassment, financial control, and sexual violence. When offline intimate partner violence becomes the online spread of private images of sexual nature as a form of threat or control, it is known as digital gender-based violence.

Psychological abuse is the most common form of intimate partner violence and includes verbal abuse, insults, threats, stalking, harassment, and controlling behavior. In addition to providing long-term services for victims and child witnesses of domestic abuse, GOH has observed that survivors of dating violence are more likely to be ignored than domestic violence survivors and thus lack resources and support. With this as our focus, we have developed a program for survivors of dating violence.

From our experience in providing dating violence services, we have discovered that dating violence amongst young people occurs most in the 16-24 age bracket, predominantly during the dating period, the high-risk period being before and after a breakup. Violent behavior often manifests as coercive control (if the age gap is significant, then some form of economic control is also likely to be present). In the early stages of dating, controlling behavior is often portrayed as done in the name of love, such as requiring a partner to relay all the details about their life and report their whereabouts by phone, controlling their eating habits and style of dress, and even using self-harm to control or threaten a partner. Some perpetrators demand they be allowed to “safekeep” their partner’s salary as an excuse to exert financial control.

Research shows that 59% of college students have experienced violence in the past year, with psychological abuse the most common form at 55.5% of cases. The vast majority of teenagers who have experienced dating violence look to their friends for help and believe that breaking up will solve everything – which is not necessarily the case. However, GOH has discovered that social work services have a high chance of preventing the recurrence of violence in such situations.

GOH believes that healthy intimate relationships are rooted in mutual respect and trust. They have no need for violence, control, or non-consensual sex. Everyone has the right to a safe, stable, and violence-free life. We also believe that every victim has the inherent strength to escape violence and have a stable life with the help of systematic support.

Public education and breaking down gender framework

GOH has always been concerned about gender issues. In the realm of public education, we have promoted the gender perspective in our direct services and guided people in realizing that no part of life is unconcerned with gender. In our history of providing services directed at dating violence, we have noticed the profound influence of gender framework in romantic relationships, particularly in relation to myths about love and the idea that “girls are gentle and boys are tough.” Victims could mistake such ideas as being part of a love relationship and thus be less willing to actively seek help, which means the violence is more likely to continue.

In response, we have placed the democratization of human intimacy at the heart of romantic relationship education in our quest to break down the gender framework and raise awareness of how narratives on gender and sex influence interactions and expectations in a relationship. Democratizing human intimacy emphasizes the importance of freedom, equality, and respect in regards to communication and negotiation; understanding each other’s differences, needs, and boundaries; and learning how to better the relationship together.

In breaking down these gender frameworks, we have gained further insight into the gender myths surrounding dating violence. Firstly, women are not the only victims of dating violence; men can also experience verbal abuse, humiliation, emotional abuse, and financial control from a partner. Secondly, despite the passage of the same-sex marriage law, people in same-sex relationships still face stigmas and discrimination in society. Due to the risks of “coming out,” they may not seek help when faced with the threat of intimate partner violence.

Gender issues in relationships are far-reaching and plainly visible. GOH brings gender awareness into the realm of public education and hopes to fully realize gender justice within our society. We aspire to give a voice to every gender, make their different issues visible, and ensure appropriate services and support are available.

Legal and policy advocacy

The nature of intimate partner violence changes with the type of relationship/family, and the current laws are clearly not enough. Consequently, GOH continues to advocate for the revision of the Domestic Violence Prevention Act in order to ensure that different types of families (including non-cohabiting partners and same-sex couples) are fully represented and protected by the law.

Finally, GOH also believes that the Domestic Violence Prevention Act should have its name expanded to include intimate partner violence outside of marriage in order to be relevant in these changing times.