Page 48 - Dignity and justice for all of us our voices are heard in Thailand

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A woman
Victim of domestic violence

Despite the fact that domestic violence is one’s own body without one’s own
illegal in Thailand, in practice, it is often consent. “I do not blame myself anymore.
tolerated by individuals and communities I now realize my rights and have reclaimed
“I now realize my as a whole. “These attitudes mean that my dignity as a human being,” she said.

rights and have even if a victim stands up for her own She says that friends and family were
rights, she is often criticized or
reclaimed my dignity” marginalized by her community,” she worried that she would bring them shame
explains. “This is an issue that affects if she returned to live with them. She also
society as a whole and is not limited to the notes that she faced prejudice by the state
marginalized and less privileged segments authorities with which she was in contact
Voice of society. I come from a wealthy family, I as well. They were most often men. When
have a nursing degree, and have been a she filed the case against her husband,
victim of domestic violence,” she she said she had to bear the full burden of
A woman who suffered physical abuse by continues. She reports that her husband the case herself. “Fortunately, I was in a
her husband and later was granted a beat her on a daily basis. However, his financial position to be able to take care of
divorce shares her experience as a victim family, with whom the couple shared a all the costs, but for many women this is
of domestic violence. She explains that home, failed to help her. She eventually not possible, and they are forced to quit
the Thai Constitution stipulates that managed to escape, and when her pursuing their case,” she said. She
“We are equal before the law and are husband could not find her, he went to recommends that specialized state-run
entitled without any discrimination to the media, claiming that she had run away organizations should provide help to
equal protection of the law,” following the for no reason. She was then encouraged women in need of moral support in cases
words of the Universal Declaration of to speak out and publically reveal the of domestic violence, helping them to
Human Rights. Some positive abuse she had suffered at the hand of her stand on their own feet to face their cases
achievements she describes include the husband. of domestic violence and divorce.
establishment of legal mechanisms to Following her experience, she decided to
prevent such violence in Thailand. She says she was very lucky that the pursue a law degree. At present, she is
However, she asserts that there is still Women’s Friends Foundation came to her working as a columnist and speaker
prejudice in society, including bias and rescue and that she had the right to file for providing legal advice on women’s rights
stigma that allow women to be abused by divorce on the grounds of physical assault. on television, as well as on behalf of
their loved ones and which often make She asserts that she began to realize the several organizations. “This was not an
victims feel that they cannot stand up for rights to which she was entitled when she easy struggle,” she adds.
their own rights. was told that no one has the right over

36 Dignity and Justice for All of Us