Understanding Family Violence in Cambodia



A Review of the Literature
by David & Holly Ketchum

Peace Bridges,
Phnom Penh, Cambodia,
March 2008

Revised June 2008
Revised November 2009

Also Available: Transforming Family Conflict in Cambodia, a Case Study of 4 Community Peacebuilders (FULL Report HERE, SUMMARY Report HERE)

Overview of the Project

Section 1: Basic Understandings

This section reviews literature, mainly from a Western perspective, that provides a basic understanding of theory and data related to family violence. It ends with an application to Peace Bridges' programming and a bibliography.


*Click on a heading to go to that section.*

1.1 Defining Violence in the Home
Typologies of Batterers
1.2 The Cycle of Violence
Aggravating Factors
Relational Patterns
The Systemic View of Violence
1.3 How Violence in the Home Affects Women
Health Risks for Battered Women
Psychological responses
Battered Women as Mothers
1.4 How Violence in the Home Affects Men
The 'Abusive Personality'
Violent Men as Fathers
1.5 How Violence in the Home Affects Children
Factors in Assessing Impact on Children
Violence, Brain Development & Adult Perpetration
Factors in Children’s Emotional Recovery from Violence
1.6 Special Considerations for Peace Bridges


Bibliography

Section 2: Domestic Violence in Cambodia

This section reviews literature from a Southeast Asian and Cambodia context that documents and illustrates cultural factors, Cambodian legislation, and the prevalence and types of family conflict. It ends with an application to Peace Bridges' programming and a bibliography.

*Click on a heading to go to that section.*


2.1 Cultural Factors in Understanding Violence in the Home

2.2 Cambodian Cultural Factors
Gender roles and stereotypes
Political Structure
Religious Beliefs
Attitudes Toward Violence
State-sponsored Violence
Migration Within and Between Countries
2.3 Cambodian Definitions and Legislation

2.4 How Violence in the Home Affects Women
Health Risks to Battered Women
Resources for Battered Women Seeking Help
Risk Factors for Domestic Violence
2.5 How Violence in the Home Affects Men

2.6 How Violence in the Home Affects Children

2.7 Special Considerations for Peace Bridges

Bibliography

Appendix: Summary of Key Criticisms of the Domestic Violence Law and the Law on Marriage and Family (CAMBOW 2007)
The Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence
The Law on Marriage and Family