Seminar "Sexual violence in dating couples"

The speakers of the seminar were Ms. Nguyen Van Anh (Director of CSAGA), journalist-writer Hoang Anh Tu, and Tran Thi Thu Phuong (Head of the Gender Equality Humanities Club, University of Social Sciences and Humanities).

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh delivered the opening speech, highly appreciating the significance of the seminar.

Using vivid, real-life examples from themselves, surveys, and stories shared by couples, the speakers discussed and clarified the nature, causes, and consequences of dating violence. Accordingly, dating violence (DV) is the demonstration of power and control over the other party by causing or threatening to cause violence within a couple.

In particular, BLHH is not only simply sexual and physical behavior but is also expressed through language and speech (cursing, calling your partner with derogatory words; blaming the other person for unwanted things...), controlling personal information on technological devices (smartphones, Facebook, computers...); interfering and restricting the other person's lifestyle and preferences (setting strict rules about time, dress, speech)... Among these are behaviors that seem normal, natural in love and marriage.

Speakers (from left to right): Tran Thi Thu Phuong (orange shirt), Nguyen Van Anh, journalist-writer Hoang Anh Tu

According to a survey by Y.Change - a group of young people working on gender issues in Hanoi with women aged 18-30, nearly 59% of respondents said they had suffered mental abuse, 23% had been harassed and abused online, 24% had been victims of harassment and stalking after breaking up. As a result, 21% of respondents had suffered physical or mental injuries, and more than 6% of them had attempted suicide. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the causes and signs of sexual abuse in order to have a solution, in order to prevent heartbreaking cases such as the massacre of a lover's entire family just because they were asked to break up.

Journalist Hoang Anh Tu shared: Dating violence is a fairly common phenomenon in the US, 1/3 of American youth are victims of dating violence; of which nearly 1.5 million high school students are victims of physical violence.

In order to avoid becoming victims of this situation, the speakers advised young people to equip themselves with life skills, independent thinking, and understanding of life; not to pursue temporary material and sexual values ​​in love, and to respect the other person whether in love or after breaking up. You need to recognize the warning signs of domestic violence; clearly define the boundaries between loving gestures and behaviors and control, interference, and emotional abuse. Instead of staying silent, you need to know how to speak up and express your feelings to your lover and those around you; if the violence continues, you need to boldly overcome regret and guilt to end that unhealthy relationship.

Students of the school asked questions to the speakers.

At the seminar, the speakers also listened to the students' thoughts and aspirations, and took turns discussing and answering questions and concerns; receiving recommendations and proposals from young people on related issues.

The seminar is a specific activity of the School to promote, share information and raise awareness and action for students, as well as create opportunities for the younger generation to contribute opinions, express their views and opinions on sexual violence in particular and gender equality in general.