Breaking the Silence: Voices of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in Myanmar

“The first time his hand connected with my cheek, it was as if the world froze in shock. I told myself he didn't mean it, that it was a one-time thing, a momentary lapse. But as the seasons changed, so did our relationship. The second slap came a few months later, and my instinct was to apologize, to take the blame, to believe that I had made a mistake. It was a twisted dance of self-doubt,” Min* recalled.

    “He repeated this act of violence, each slap echoing like a painful reminder that something was deeply wrong. It took me a while, too long, to realize that I was trapped in a nightmarish cycle of intimate partner violence. I knew deep down that I didn't deserve to be abused. Nobody does, regardless of age or gender, in any relationship.”

    Min was 22 and one of many young people experiencing violence between intimate partners in Myanmar. Recently, a well-known celebrity was revealed on social media to have been abusive and violent towards his girlfriend, demonstrating that such violence crosses social groups and drawing widespread attention to the matter.

    Intimate partner violence is often exacerbated by mental health issues. UNICEF has found that the current political crisis and ensuring conflict in Myanmar has increased the risk for mental health challenges among young people in particular.

    Just as conversations about this issue were reaching a fever pitch, UNICEF’s U-Report Myanmar conducted a poll on intimate partner violence.

    “This poll cut close to home because it forced me to confront the haunting memories of my own experiences,” said Thu*, 20.

    “The physical abuse eventually evolved into emotional torment. He belittled my proudest achievements in work and education, leaving me feeling worthless. Meeting friends meant being tethered to him through a barrage of messages, my every move scrutinized. My work-related travel led to baseless accusations of infidelity, and my social media use was tightly controlled. The constant humiliation regarding my body weight led to an eating disorder and body dysmorphia, which, in turn, spiraled into mental health struggles,” Thu shared.

    What Min and Thu shared was echoed by 32 per cent of respondents to the U-Report poll, who revealed that physical abuse was the most common form of violence, followed by verbal and mental abuse, sexual violence, humiliation, and abuse of power.

    Shockingly, 57 per cent of U-Reporters reported knowing someone in their community or among friends and family trapped in an abusive relationship. Also, alarming was that U-Reporters between 15 and 19 years old experienced sexual violence more frequently than other age groups.

    “I managed to break free from my abusive relationship, and we've never crossed paths again. But the trauma lingers, resurfacing every time I witness survivors sharing their own stories on social media,” said Min.

    Similarly, the poll found that 66 per cent of U-Reporters struggled with depression, anxiety, and fear due to experiences of abuse. Two out of every five respondents suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of intimate partner violence. Some even resorted to self-harm and suicidal thoughts, while others reported feeling emotionally unsafe. A small percentage faced discrimination or financial challenges as a result of societal pressure and a victim-blaming culture.

    Thankfully, there's a shift in society towards discussing this once-taboo subject openly, both online and offline. In the poll, 34 per cent of respondents revealed they had confided in their closest friends and family, and 4 per cent sought help from their communities and social influencers or shared their experiences on social media. A significant 3 per cent received psychological help. But there are still many U-Reporters who remain trapped in silence, unsure of where to turn or how to escape, believing that this is somehow the norm and must be endured.

    While society condemns perpetrators of domestic violence, there remains much to be done in terms of prevention. According to the poll, 37 per cent of U-Reporters emphasized the need for stricter laws and increased awareness about intimate partner violence within communities.

    “To truly make a difference and encourage survivors to speak out and seek the support they need, we must dismantle the culture of victim-blaming. I, too, struggled in silence, believing that I had done something to deserve the abuse. Like one in five U-Reporters, I kept my pain hidden, enduring it alone because I didn't know what else to do. "It's high time we dispel the stigma and misconceptions surrounding survivors so that those suffering in silence can find their voices without judgment or shame," said Min.

    Min and Thu said sharing their voices through U-Report makes them feel that their voices are listened to can help create a positive change in public perception and action towards intimate partner violence.

“I am a survivor of intimate partner violence, but the scars on my soul still ache.”

This article is dedicated to every survivor of intimate partner violence and domestic abuse, a testament to your strength and resilience.

Min* and Thu* are not real names – their identities were changed for their safety and confidentiality.