Diverse sources of international and regional law address the concepts of violence and harassment, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women (Convention of Belém do Pará). Throughout this handbook, the terminology “violence and harassment against women” is used. This allows for the combination of concepts reflected in international law.
For the purposes of this handbook, violence and harassment against women includes, but is not limited to, the following: sexual violence, including sexual assault and sexual harassment; physical violence, such as assault, battery and murder; psychological violence and harassment, including bullying and mobbing; threats of violence and harassment; verbal and non-verbal forms of harassment; and stalking. The issue of domestic violence is also included within this handbook, as it has an important impact on the world of work.