A Resource Book on Intimate Partner Violence for United Nations Staff in Asia

Intimate partner violence (IPV), like all kinds of violence, is a violation of human rights. Violence committed by an intimate partner – whether a current or former spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend or dating partner – has devastating physical, emotional, financial and social effects on women, children, families and communities around the world. IPV can happen to anyone. It occurs across all societies, countries, cultures and genders, but women are by far the most at risk. In the worst cases, it can culminate in femicide, or the targeted gender-related murder of women. In addition to its detrimental impacts on survivors’ physical and mental health, IPV impacts their participation in education and work, bringing significant social and economic costs that we cannot afford to ignore. In Asia, as in other parts of the world, women are most vulnerable to violence behind the closed doors of their own homes. No one is immune to intimate partner violence, including those who are working in the United Nations. This resource book is designed to support UN staff members who encounter IPV either in their own lives or that of colleagues.

• Part One: provides an overview of the problem and the regional context.
• Part Two: provides practical guidance, from how to recognize IPV to where to seek help.

We encourage any United Nations Agency to distribute this resource book, which features key contacts in Thailand. The first point of contact may be a gender focal point, an operations/HR focal point or the UNDSS in your duty station. For offices outside of Thailand, it is suggested to adapt this resource book to your setting with local service providers listed.

This resource book is a working document that will be updated and revisited on a regular basis.