Victimological Model of Chemical Violence and Acid Attacks on Women
摘要
This chapter brings an initial approach to understand chemical violence as gendered. Chemical violence demonstrates extreme hatred against women based on stereotypes and gender roles. Deaths have been reported from the time of the acid attack and during hospitalization due to sepsis or multi-organ failure, showing the risk of death from the attacks. Those who survive face permanent physical sequelae, disabilities, facial disfigurement, social ostracism, little social support, and economic and employment difficulties. They also present psychological alterations such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, difficulties in their self-image, and risk of suicide. The effects of chemical violence reach the victims’ families, who must perform caregiving tasks in the hospital and at home and deal with the victims’ pain, with their shattered faces and bodies, and their reactions to the injuries. Understanding this violence is essential for paying attention to the cases by the public institutions of health, justice, social, educational, labor, and cultural development of the victims.