Think carefully before uttering 'violence towards women'.

The way we talk about things matters. It's crucial in bringing about change. As someone who works in journalism and activism, I've used the term 'violence against women and girls' (VAWG) regularly, even as recently as last week. It's a widely accepted term that describes the crisis of male violence against women and girls, so it's natural for us as a society to use it. Even Metro's #ThisIsNotRight campaign, which I'm a part of, uses VAWG because it's the most well-known term.

But I've come to realize that this needs to change. I need to change. This Is Not Right is a year-long campaign launched by Metro on November 25, 2024, to address the alarming epidemic of violence against women. Throughout the year, we'll be sharing stories that shed light on the scale of this issue. Our goal, with the help of our partners at Women's Aid, is to engage and empower our readers to take action against violence against women.

You can find more articles on this topic here, and if you have a story to share, you can email us at email. Our campaign is centered around the fact that violence against women is not acceptable. And while debates over specific language may seem unimportant in the face of such a pressing issue, I believe it's vital to shifting the needle.

So, what's the issue with the term 'violence against women and girls'? It's the passiveness of it. It makes it seem like this violence is some mysterious phenomenon that we can't quite understand, something that just happens. But the truth is, out of the 100 domestic homicide victims in the year ending March 2023, 70 were women. This term fails to acknowledge the underlying problem: that male violence is at the heart of this crisis. Even when men are not the direct perpetrators, violence against women and girls is deeply rooted in patriarchy and misogyny. The dehumanization of women globally leads to them being harmed in a unique way.

The National Police Chiefs' Council analysis found that in England and Wales, two million women are estimated to be victims of male violence each year. This includes crimes like stalking, harassment, sexual assault, and domestic abuse. These crimes affect one in 12 women in England and Wales, and the number of recorded offenses has increased by 37% in the past five years. What's even more alarming is that the perpetrators are getting younger.

There's often a hesitation to label men as the problem, as it can lead to unnecessary division. However, when discussing misogynistic violence, it's crucial to acknowledge the role of men. We must engage them in conversations about gendered violence, patriarchy, and misogyny. These conversations may be uncomfortable, but they are necessary. If we continue to shy away from calling out the truth, we are only perpetuating harmful myths.

For example, I often hear the argument that more men are killed than women globally. While this is true, it's not the whole truth. In 2022/23, out of the 590 homicide victims in England and Wales, 416 were male, and 174 were female. But in the three years ending March 2023, men accounted for 92% of all homicide convictions in England and Wales. So while it's true that men are more likely to be victims of homicide, the perpetrator is also more likely to be a man. This is what we mean by gendered violence. This is why we say that male violence against women is a national crisis. And even when men are the victims, it's essential to recognize that the root cause is still harmful patriarchal beliefs.

We must not pander to the idea that labeling cis men as the primary perpetrators of violence against women and girls is unfair. Whenever I speak about this issue, I'm met with comments about how more men are killed than women globally. But this ignores the fact that of the 249 female domestic homicide victims between March 2020 and March 2022, the suspect was male in 241 cases. It's also important to note that women are over three times more likely to be killed by a partner than by not wearing a seatbelt. And a survey found that only 4% of bereaved family members said their loved one's killing was not preventable at all. Femicide Census also found that 53% of the perpetrators of femicide in 2020 had a history of violence against women.

So, it's time to move away from the term 'violence against women and girls.' It doesn't go far enough in recognizing that most victims and survivors are women and girls, and that the violence is usually carried out by men. It also excludes other marginalized genders, like trans and nonbinary people, who are also victims of gendered violence. Instead, let's use more accurate and inclusive language like 'male violence against women and girls' or 'misogynistic violence.' Or, we can use 'gender-based violence' to encompass all marginalized genders.

It's time to start saying the quiet part out loud. We must not be afraid to hold men accountable and involve them in these conversations. It may be uncomfortable, but it's necessary for progress. We cannot continue to ignore the truth and the role that society as a whole plays in perpetuating violence against women and girls. Let's move forward with a more conscious approach to our language and continue to have these important discussions.

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