The impact of GBV and how to handle it

Gender based violence is violence directed at a person because of their gender and stems from gender inequality. According to The world bank (2019) 1 in every 3 women are affected by gender-based violence worldwide in their entire lifetime. Gender based violence is a global pandemic and the numbers continue to be staggering.

During lockdown in South Africa, light was shown into gender-based violence as news across media pages and social media spread with people claiming that it is spiking. This was expected as South Africa had high numbers of domestic violence and rape before covid struck and lockdown happened. People were also advised by the president when the lockdown started to not go outside unless it was for essentials such as medicine or other emergencies.

However, According to Gould (2020) on the 22nd of April 2020, police minister Bheki Cele, reported a 69,4% decrease in domestic violence cases during the period of the 2020 national lockdown from cases that were reported during the year 2019. The medical research council also had a similar report in which they stated a 66% decrease in trauma cases arriving at hospitals, in which some of them formed part of domestic violence.

This would suggest that the information that was spread through social media was incorrect, According to Jones (2021) , it is said that 40% of women in south Africa will be raped at some point however only 8.6% are actually convicted. The numbers are very discouraging and could suggest that most women do in fact experience gender-based violence they just don’t report it to the police as the chances of them actually getting justice for their abuse are quite slim.

The impact of GBV on victims

The impact of GBV can either be emotional, physical or psychological. The impact on Physical impact includes injuries and death. The impact of psychological impact includes anxiety, depression and ptsd and with Emotional impact it includes low self-esteem and self-blame. GBV can be exposed through family members. Often children witness their parents being abused by their spouse and resort to aggression and even bullying their peers at school.

 

How to help GBV victims

 Whistleblowing: it is always good to report GBV when witnessing it happen to other people as victims often tend to be scared to come out.

Support groups: joining support groups as GBV victims or as family members of GBV victims helps as you get emotional support and you get to witness what other people who have been in similar situations have to say.

Education: teaching students while they’re still young on the dangers of GBV and why they should not do it is important. Parents are also encouraged to teach their children at home not to resort to violence and make them aware that there are other ways in dealing with certain situations.

 

Conclusion

To sum up everything that has been said so far if you see someone or you as an individual is in need of help. You can contact an organisation that deals with GBV to help you with your situation. Never hesitate to help or stop #GenderBasedViolence.

 

Reference:

1.    The world bank. (2019). Gender- based Violence (Violence against women and girls). Available From: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/socialsustainability/brief/violence-against-women-and-girls   [Accessed 22 March 2023].

2.    Gould, C. (2020). Gender-based Violence during lockdown: looking for answers. Available From: https://www.saferspaces.org.za/blog/entry/gender-based-violence-during-lockdown-looking-for-answers   [Accessed 22 March 2023].

3.    Jones, M. (2021, February 16). ‘I will never report my rape’- 3 women tell us why they wont go to the police. Available From:  https://www.news24.com/life/wellness/mind/i-will-never-report-my-rape-3-women-tell-us-why-they-wont-go-to-the-police-20210216  [Accessed 22 March 2023].