Gender-based violence is any act exercised against a person because of their gender identity. Women and LGBTI+ people are the main victims.
It happens in many spaces such as homes, education institutions, workplaces and others. The aggressors are mainly people close to the victim.
Learn about the types of violence:
Physical Violence: It is expressed through blows or any action that causes physical damage or suffering. This type of violence can end in a femicide attempt.
Psychological Violence: Of all women who have suffered gender-based violence, half stated that they experienced psychological violence. It is expressed through insults, manipulation, humiliation and any act that is intended to cause emotional damage.
Sexual Violence: In Ecuador, 1 out of 4 women have experienced sexual violence. This sort of violence is expressed through sexual harassment or abuse, groping, pornographic material, rape and any sexual act that has not been voluntary or that has been carried out by means of force or manipulation.
⚠️ Remember that health services and gender-based violence protection services in Ecuador are free of charge, and all people—regardless of their nationality or whether they have documentation—have the right to access them.
ℹ️ For more information, you can contact UNHCR’s helpline at +593 23 42 01 20.
ℹ️ If you want to learn more about the care centers, shelters, and comprehensive services available in Ecuador for survivors of gender-based violence, you can review this link: Subsecretaría Prevención y Erradicación de la Violencia contra Mujeres, Niñas, Niños y Adolescentes…
ℹ️ If you need medical attention, you can go to a public hospital or health center. If you have been a victim of sexual violence, you must seek a hospital or health center immediately—ideally within the first 72 hours after the incident—to receive oral contraception and treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Click on the link Servicios de salud – ACNUR Ecuador to find information about health centers and hospitals that provide comprehensive healthcare to victims of gender-based violence.