Domestic and Family Violence in Post-Conflict Communities : International Human Rights Law and the State’s Obligation to Protect Women and Children

This article investigates the higher instances of domestic and family violence (DFV) associated with post-conflict communities. The author argues that the protection of women and children from DFV must constitute a public policy objective rather than a private sphere issue. States have an obligation to provide protective measures for victims of violence under international human rights law. Failure to do so may result in state violations of the fundamental human rights norms of the right to life, the prohibition on discrimination and the right to health. As  such, the article advocates for peacebuilding frameworks to incorporate the following initiatives:  emergency support services for victims of DFV, legislation criminalizing DFV, training of law  enforcement officials in DFV response and protection, and the installation of long-term measures to  facilitate cultural change to mitigate violence against women and children.