Elimination of Violence Against Women

Hi, everyone. We are well into the “16 Days of Action against domestic violence.” Hopefully you have been seeing the various tips on actions each person can take to eliminate this poison in our communities.

Unfortunately, violence against women is all too prevalent in our society with such statistics as 1 in 3 women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. This situation is in much need of attention and there is action that can be taken to make a difference.

The elimination of violence against women is a large task. It starts with each person being active, speaking out, taking steps to end the support of anyone who abuses women. Many people around the world take action on this day—including me.

My father, Mike Rinder has walked a path in life paved with too many abuses of women, young and old, both emotional and physical. The culmination of his violence was when he badly harmed my mom.

What was etched in my mind on that day can never be erased. My father physically attacked my mom right in front of me, his daughter. He violently grabbed onto her arms and would not let go. The animosity and strong hate towards her was palpable—making it all the more frightening. His attack left my mom bleeding, with lacerations, a fractured shoulder and, as we found out later, nerve damage. Ever since, each day of my mom’s life has been lived in pain because of what my father, Mike Rinder, did to her.

Even scarier is that was not the first time he had abused a woman. I have heard different accounts from family friends and former colleagues which pained me to hear.

One of these was a long-term family friend whom my mom and I sat down with to compare notes on the abuse we all experienced from Mike.

One woman harmed, is too many in any circumstance.

It is time to stop the support of men who commit violence against women.

The “16 days of Action against domestic violence” runs until Human Rights Day on the 10th of December.