Recognize violence:
Terms, characters, code words

Mission 21 bases its activities on internationally recognized definitions. Click on the terms to read the explanations.

Sexualized and gender-based violence

Definition: This form of violence refers to any action directed against a person's will that is rooted in unequal power relations and patriarchal gender norms. It includes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including threats of such acts, coercion and deprivation of liberty, as well as the deliberate denial of resources or access to services.
Most common forms: This includes domestic violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, human trafficking and sexualized violence such as rape or sexual harassment.
Context: This violence can occur in both private and public spaces - in relationships, families, at work, in churches and increasingly also in digital spaces.
Background: Women, girls, men, boys and LGBTQIA+ people are affected. Systemic gender inequality is the fundamental and defining characteristic of these different manifestations of violence. Mission 21 deliberately uses this combined term to emphasize the seriousness and continuing taboo of sexualized violence.

Sexualized violence

Definition: Sexualized violence refers to acts of a sexual nature that are carried out without the consent of the person concerned.
Spectrum: The spectrum ranges from unwanted, inappropriate or derogatory comments to forced or coerced actions and even rape.
Affected parties: Every third woman worldwide is affected (WHO 2021). Men can also experience sexualized violence, with LGBTQIA+ people being affected more often than heterosexual and cisgender people. It is primarily about the demonstration of power, control and the exploitation of dependency relationships.
Technical term: In the German-speaking context, a distinction is made between «sexual violence» as a legal category and «sexualized violence» as a professional term. Mission 21 always uses the technical term «sexualized violence». This takes account of the fact that not all forms of sexualized violence are recorded as sexual violence under criminal law, but nevertheless massively violate the boundaries of those affected.

Domestic violence

Definition: This refers to violence within a family, a household or a current or former romantic relationship - regardless of whether the parties involved live together or have lived together in the past.
Scope: It encompasses physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence and also includes stalking. Abuse of children or dependent family members is a specific form of domestic violence.

Structural violence

Definition: Structural violence is violence that arises from social, political and economic structures and acts as part of the system. It leads to the oppression of certain social groups and manifests itself in the unequal distribution of resources, income or educational disadvantage.
Context: Structural violence and gender-based and sexualized violence are often closely linked and reinforce each other. One example of this is restricted access to services or rights.

Digital violence

Definition: Digital violence refers to acts carried out against a person's will using information and communication technologies (such as social media, messenger services or email). It is not a new form of violence, but an extension of existing forms of violence into the digital space, which is rooted in patriarchal structures and unequal power relations.
Spectrum: The spectrum is broad and includes cyberstalking, sexualized insults, threats of violence and the unauthorized publication or distribution of private images (e.g. for blackmail or humiliation). The deliberate denial of access to digital resources or information can also constitute a form of digital violence.
Consequences: Digital violence causes massive psychological damage and is often aimed at pushing those affected - especially women, girls and LGBTQIA+ people - out of the public digital space. This constitutes a serious violation of human rights and personal integrity.
Context: Digital violence is closely linked to structural and sexualized violence. The anonymity and rapid dissemination online often increase the severity of the attacks and make it more difficult to combat and prosecute them.

The international distress signal

This hand signal has become established worldwide. It works without words, so that it remains hidden from people:

Step 1: One hand is raised with the palm facing forward.

The hand is raised

Step 2: The thumb is placed on the inside of your palm.

The thumb is placed in the palm of the hand

Step 3: Fold the remaining four fingers over the thumb to form a fist.

Fold the remaining four fingers over the thumb (like a fist)

How to react?

Anyone who makes this sign is signaling an acute threat. Do not put yourself or the person in danger. Show inconspicuously that you have understood the sign (e.g. by nodding briefly) and alert the person. Police (117).

Help code word: «Is Luisa here?»

People in bars and clubs can use this phrase to discreetly request assistance if they feel harassed or threatened. The concept is mainly used in larger establishments in German-speaking cities that have trained their staff accordingly.

Who asks at the bar: «Is Luisa here?», signals: «I need help». The staff react immediately and provide discreet support - be it by ordering a cab, escorting the assaulted person to a protected room or telling them to leave.