Violence Against Women: It’s Not Random, It’s Reinforced

Violence against women is shaped by the systems, language, and narratives we see every day.In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we unpack how normalization happens in plain sight—through headlines that center victims instead of perpetrators, media that desensitize us to harm, and the silence that allows it all to continue. We examine how language shapes accountability, and how easily society shifts responsibility away from the men who violate women’s physical, emotional, and mental safety.This conversation is grounded in the reality of violence against women—stalking, physical violence, sexual assault—and the undercurrent of disbelief, stigma, and fear that keeps so much of it unreported and unspoken. Women are conditioned from childhood to be hypervigilant about our safety—and we carry that reality with us every single day.This isn’t just about awareness—it’s about responsibility.What does it look like to interrupt these patterns? Challenge harmful behavior, rethink the messages we pass down, and refuse to accept systems that were never built with women’s safety in mind. Because change happens in what we say, what we tolerate, and what we’re willing to confront.Because silence doesn’t just protect comfort—it protects the men responsible for this violence.If you’ve been a victim of sexual violence and need someone to talk to, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline.You can also reach out to the National Domestic Violence hotline. Both hotlines are available  24/7.Check out one of the organizations working to change the culture of violence and harassment against women:  Hassl.UKIf you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestions