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Categories
Sexism and Sexual Harassment

Hierarchy of Violence Against Women

October 14, 2026 by Jezernik Marko

From Norms to Harm

An improved, interactive graphic of sexual violence — with power, consent, prevention, and impact lenses

Developed by 3Plus International · Enhanced with structural critique · Click any layer to expand

Apply lens:

All Power & dependency Consent & coercion Institutional failure Bystander role Impact on targets
High prevention potential Moderate prevention potential Low — crisis response only Click any layer to expand ↓
Power
absent
Violence & extreme outcomes
Sexual assault · Rape · Coercive sexual acts · Homicide/suicide linked to abuse
Crisis response only
Consent
destroyed

Violence & extreme outcomes

What's happening
  • Explicit violations of bodily autonomy
  • Consent fully absent or destroyed by coercion
  • Often enabled by institutional failure in lower layers
Power dynamics
  • Perpetrator exploits all structural advantages
  • Victim isolated from support networks
  • Reporting mechanisms have usually already failed
Intervention
  • Crisis support & trauma-informed care
  • Legal accountability
  • Post-incident review of how it was missed
Impact on targets
PTSD Physical harm Career destruction Chronic trauma Isolation Long-term mental health effects
Power
weaponised
Coercion & abuse of power
Explicit/implicit threats · Retaliation fears · "Consent" under pressure · Abuse of hierarchy (manager, mentor, gatekeeper)
Low — fear suppresses reporting
Consent
coerced

Coercion & abuse of power

What's happening
  • Manager, mentor or gatekeeper misusing authority
  • Compliance achieved through fear of consequences
  • Consent appears present but is manufactured
Why reporting fails
  • Victim depends on perpetrator professionally
  • Retaliation culture already normalised in lower layers
  • HR and leadership often implicated or avoidant
Intervention
  • Independent reporting channels
  • Whistleblower protections
  • Leadership accountability structures
Impact on targets
Anxiety Self-censorship Job loss fear Hypervigilance Career damage Depression
Power
differential
present
Boundary violations
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence · Sexualised comments · Inappropriate attention · Persistent "joking" after discomfort shown · Unwanted touching
Moderate — bystanders can act here
Consent
ignored

Boundary violations

What's happening
  • Explicit discomfort signals are ignored
  • Individual testing what they can get away with
  • Normalised when lower layers are unchallenged
Bystander role
  • Most visible layer to colleagues
  • Bystander intervention here is highly effective
  • Silence at this stage signals tolerance
Intervention
  • Bystander training
  • Clear behavioural standards
  • Low-barrier reporting options
Impact on targets
Withdrawal Reduced participation Distrust Sleep disruption Reduced productivity
Power
unexamined
Norm-setting & silencing behaviours
Sexual jokes · Dismissal ("too sensitive") · Exclusion · Laughing along · Weak reporting systems · Retaliation culture · Not challenging behaviour
Highest prevention potential
Consent
unnamed

Norm-setting & silencing behaviours

What's happening
  • Everyday behaviours train people on what is tolerated
  • Institutional signals (weak systems, no consequences) enable escalation
  • Bystander inaction is itself norm-setting
Cumulative impact
  • Credibility erosion for targets
  • Silencing effect before any violation occurs
  • Predicts likelihood of future escalation
Intervention
  • Manager and peer role-modelling
  • Strong, accessible reporting systems
  • Consistent consequences for dismissal
Impact on targets
Self-doubt Reduced confidence Over-explaining Social withdrawal Burnout
Unequal
power
structures
Beliefs, power & systems
Gender entitlement · Stereotypes · Dehumanisation · Unequal power structures · Retaliation culture · Organisational silence · Poor accountability
Foundational — change here prevents most harm
Consent
culturally
devalued

Beliefs, power & systems

What's happening
  • Cultural norms that enable entitlement
  • Organisational structures concentrating unchecked power
  • Absence of education on consent and coercion
Institutional role
  • Recruitment, promotion, and leadership patterns
  • Pay equity and economic dependency
  • HR policy design and enforcement culture
Intervention
  • Structural equity policies
  • Consent and power literacy training
  • Leadership accountability for culture
Impact on targets
Chronic stress Imposter syndrome Economic precarity Long-term health effects Career limitation
◀ Most incidents start here Most action happens here (too late) ▶
Select a lens above to highlight how each layer looks through that dimension
From Norms to Harm · Interactive pyramid · 3Plus International · Enhanced version
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