2^nd Prof. HVJ Fernando Oration - Gender based violence and the forensic medical practitioner

Abstract

According to WHO world report on violence and health (2002), violence implies the use of force of some kind by one individual, group, community or nation on another individual, group, community or nation. [2]It always results in harm and suffering for one group. There is always a power difference between the two groups wherever violence is inflicted: powerful committing violence against the powerless. In case of GBV, the power difference between male and female which has been created by gender attitudes plays a pivotal role. In child abuse, abuser is powerful and the child is powerless. In wife battering, husband is powerful and the wife is powerless. In elderly abuse-one who is taking care of is powerful and the elder is powerless. An innocent child may later become a violent perpetrator. This transition takes a long time, with the influence of the society. According to an illustrative

Red dot identification system for Mithuru Piyasa to resolve social problems with medicolegal significance

“…[2] Therefore, the prevalence of GBV in Sri Lanka is on par with the average global situation. [3] Further, it is observed that GBV contributes to committing suicides. Sri Lanka has one of the highest rates of suicides in the world.…”