Authors' Note
The following report is based on interviews with activists and key individuals from the fields of criminal justice, social welfare, human rights, health and government who are involved in the effort to eliminate violence against women in Thailand. The report contains detailed accounts of women’s experiences with violence and profiles the laws and existing systems’ responses to the issue. After carefully considering the implications of displaying photographs of the women in our report who have experienced violence, we have chosen to include the photos. It is not our intention to exploit or sensationalize violence against women or to reinforce the shame many women feel. Our goal in presenting the images along with the women’s experiences is to raise awareness of the reality of these crimes.
The women who agreed to share their experiences for this report are clients at crisis centers in Bangkok. Full informed consent was obtained from them. They wanted to express that what has been done to them is unacceptable and can no longer be protected by silence. Though most of the women did not want to be recognized in the photos, they wanted the public to know their abusive experiences belong to someone. In the case of the woman brutally beaten three days earlier and whose eyes were left bruised, she wanted to show the physical damage. Although most Thai people acknowledge that violence against women, particularly domestic violence, is widespread, we believe it is easy to ignore its severity until it is personalized. The women in our report are survivors, as are all women who have experienced abuse. We refer to them as “survivors” rather than “victims,” as most groups working on the issue have done. It is a way of empowering women and countering the shame. We also recognize the prevalence of crimes against children. Discrimination, sexual slavery and trafficking are common problems affecting many young girls, and violence against women, in general, negatively impacts children’s development. However this report, in its brevity, focuses on the complex and distinct issues women face that we believe require a deeper understanding in order to develop effective strategies for change. Although our emphasis is on women, this report includes areas that relate to children's issues, which are addressed in The National Plan. We wish to acknowledge with gratitude the financial support provided by The World Bank to make this report possible. It is our hope that the report promotes greater dialogue among individuals and groups concerned about combating violence against women to further the development and implementation of plans of action. Little empirical information is available about the state of violence against women in Thailand. It is an issue that needs more in-depth study so that a more complete picture of the problem can emerge. The Office of the National Commission on Women’s Affairs
with consultants: Dr. Pensri Phijaisanit
Professor Emeritus, Mahidol University Malahat Baig-Amin, MS
Gender and Violence Researcher Karen Emmons
Journalist |
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