Gender Based Violence 2020

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What is Gender-based violence (GBV)?

Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of victims are women and girls.

Gender-based violence and violence against women are terms that are often used interchangeably as it has been widely acknowledged that most gender-based violence is inflicted on women and girls, by men. However, using the ‘gender-based’ aspect is important as it highlights the fact that many forms of violence against women are rooted in power inequalities between women and men.

Forms of gender-based violence

There are many different forms of violence. GBV can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial, or structural, and can be perpetrated by intimate partners, acquaintances, strangers, and institutions. Most acts of interpersonal gender-based violence are committed by men against women, and the man perpetrating the violence is often known by the woman, such as a partner or family member.

Violence against women and girls (VAWG)

GBV is disproportionately directed against women and girls.

Intimate partner violence (IPV)

IPV is the most common form of GBV and includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and controlling behaviours by a current or former intimate partner or spouse and can occur in heterosexual or same-sex couples.

Domestic violence (DV)

Domestic violence refers to violence which is carried out by partners or family members. As such, DV can include IPV, but also encompasses violence against children or other family members.

Sexual violence (SV)

Sexual violence is “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.”

Gender-based violence in South Africa

It is a sad fact that there are no societies that are free of GBV, and South Africa is no exception.

Although accurate statistics are difficult to obtain for many reasons (including the fact that most incidents of GBV are not reported), it is evident South Africa has particularly high rates of GBV.

GBV (which disproportionately affects women and girls) is systemic, and deeply entrenched in institutions, cultures, and traditions in South Africa.

Impact of gender-based violence

GBV is a profound human rights violation with major social and developmental impacts for survivors of violence, as well as their families, communities, and society more broadly.

On an individual level, GBV leads to psychological trauma, and can have psychological, behavioural, and physical consequences for survivors. In many parts of the country, there is poor access to formal psychosocial or even medical support, which means that many survivors are unable to access the help they need. Families and loved ones of survivors can also experience indirect trauma, and many do not know how to provide effective support.

Violence also has significant economic consequences. The high rate of GBV places a heavy burden on the health and criminal justice systems, as well as rendering many survivors unable to work or otherwise move freely in society.

Prevention and Response

What works

Broadly speaking, approaches to addressing GBV can be divided into Response and Prevention. Response services aim to support and help survivors of violence in a variety of ways (for instance medical help, psychosocial support, and shelter). Prevention initiatives look at how GBV can be prevented from happening. Response services can in turn contribute towards preventing violence from occurring or reoccurring.

What to do if home is not a safe place for you

If you are experiencing violence, it may be helpful to reach out to family, friends, and neighbours, to seek support from a hotline or, if safe, from online service for survivors of violence. Find out if local services (e.g. shelters, counselling) are open and reach out to them if available.

Make a safety plan in case the violence against you or your children escalates. This includes:

Identifying a place of safety, e.g. neighbour, friend, relative, colleague, or shelter to go to, in case you need to leave the house immediately for safety.
Have a plan for how you will exit the house safely and how you will reach a place of safety (e.g. transport)
Keep a few essential items (e.g. identification documents, phone, money, medicines, and clothes) available, and a list of telephone numbers in case of an emergency.
If possible, develop a code with a trusted neighbour so they can come to your aid in case of an emergency.

What to do if you are suffering from the mental, sexual, social, or long-term physical health problems during COVID-19, as a result of violence.

As much as possible, reduce sources of stress:

Maintain contact with and seek support from family and friends via phone, email, text, etc.
Try to maintain daily routines and make time for physical activity and sleep
Use relaxation exercises (e.g. slow breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, grounding exercises) to relieve stressful thoughts and feelings.
Engage in activities that in the past have helped with managing adversity.
Seek information about COVID- 19 from reliable sources and reduce the time spent consuming news.

Seek care from a trained health provider for symptoms and conditions including injuries that need medical attention. Due to restrictions on movement, and pressure on health systems, it may be difficult to access healthcare in person at this time. In this case, find out what is available in your locality and seek alternatives, including information and support offered by phone or online.

If you are currently receiving healthcare and support for violence-related issues this could continue during COVID-19 – this could even be by phone or online if feasible and appropriate for your health needs.

How to help someone you are worried about

If you know of, or are concerned about, someone in an abusive relationship there are some things you can do:

Keep in touch with the person regularly to check that they are safe, ensuring that it is safe for them to be in touch with you. Assume that a perpetrator of violence can see, hear and or monitor communications, so find out how best to communicate with the person that you are concerned about. Send them an SMS or message via email or social media, in a way that is safe for them. Be discrete in connecting with them when the abuser is present in the home so that they are not placed at risk of additional harm. Check each time, as this may change.
Find out what services for survivors of violence against women (e.g. shelters, hotlines, counselling services, women’s organizations) are functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic and make this information available through your networks and social media. Only provide this information directly if you can do so discretely without the abuser finding out.
If someone you know needs urgent help for whatever reason, be prepared to call emergency health services, the police, health centre, or hotline.

What to do if you harmed or are worried about harming or hurting your partner (and children) with your words or actions.

If you feel yourself getting angry or very annoyed, step away into another room if you can, or outside for a deep breath.
Count to ten and breathe in and out until you feel calmer. Count down from 10 or do anything else that may help you stay calm.
Talk to a trusted friend, relative, or religious leader and if necessary, seek help from local health/counselling services or specialized services, if available.
Recognize that everyone in your family is experiencing stress during this time.
Demonstrate kindness and patience in your words and actions.
Eliminate or reduce your alcohol consumption as much as possible.

The current measures to address the COVID-19 pandemic, such as restrictions on movement, as well as financial instability caused by the crisis, are likely to add to your stress. This is normal, and you can control how you react. Take measures to ensure you manage your stress in a way that is respectful and safe to you and your family. Try to be kind to yourself, your partner, children, and anyone else in the family.

Has violence against women increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic?

Violence against women is highly prevalent, and intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence. During health emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, violence against women tends to increase.

How does COVID-19 increase risks of violence for women?

Stress, the disruption of social and protective networks, loss of income and decreased access to services all can exacerbate the risk of violence for women.

In many countries, where people are encouraged or required to stay at home, the risk of intimate partner violence is likely to increase.

In addition, access to sexual and reproductive health services will likely become more limited. Other services, such as hotlines, crisis centres, shelters, legal aid, and protection services, may also be reduced, making it difficult for women to access the few sources of help that would usually be available.

Why should we care about violence against women during COVID-19?

Violence against women is a grave violation of women’s human rights, no matter when, where, or how it takes place. There are many forms of violence against women, which have many potential negative health consequences for women and their children.

Violence against women can result in injuries and serious physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health problems, including sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unplanned pregnancies. In extreme cases, violence against women can result in death.

The effects of violence are very often long-lived. Violence in all its forms can have an impact on a woman’s well-being throughout the rest of her life. This is unacceptable, and the risks of violence that women and their children face during the current COVID-19 crisis cannot be ignored.

When we are able to prevent violence, or to support women survivors of violence, we help to safeguard women’s human rights, and promote physical and mental health and well-being for women throughout their lives. This also helps to alleviate pressure on already stretched essential public services, including the health system.