Gender-based violence remains one of the key issues in communities that people are discouraged from talking about. The fear of being stigmatised, shamed and isolated looms around affected persons and communities normalise instances of violence and abuse. Seeking support is important for the healing and recovery of the survivors of GBV. A survivor-centred approach prioritizes the survivor’s dignity, safety, and rights. There are several avenues of support that a person who has experienced any form of GBV can reach out to, depending on the type of GBV experienced and their immediate needs. The impact of GBV can be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic, so assistance from different spheres is necessary. Support for survivors can occur in different ways through:
- Emotional and Psychological support through therapy counselling and peer support groups: Licensed mental health professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or social workers, can provide specialized support for survivors of trauma. Therapy, including trauma-focused therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Group therapy or peer-led support groups offer survivors the opportunity to connect with others who have experienced similar situations. Being part of a community of people who understand firsthand can provide a sense of solidarity and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Medical assistance: Medical care is essential for survivors of physical or sexual assault. In some cases, there may be physical injuries or the need for preventive care such as STI testing, contraception. Survivors of sexual assault, for instance, may need to access specialized care such as a forensic medical exam also known as a rape kit to collect evidence, should they wish to pursue legal action.
- Physical safety like accessing a place of safety or a domestic violence shelter: Survivors who are fleeing abusive situations may need temporary housing, food, or other basic resources. Shelters and housing programs for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, or sexual assault can offer a safe environment to heal and regain stability.
- Legal aid: Survivors may need legal guidance, especially if their trauma involved criminal acts like sexual assault or abuse. Legal advocates or lawyers who specialize in survivor’s rights can help navigate the legal system, explain options for justice, and offer representation if needed.
- Social support from friends, family, and the community applying the survivor-centred approach: Support from loved ones if available and healthy survivor-centred is invaluable. Having a network of people who are understanding, compassionate, and willing to listen can help survivors feel less alone. However, it’s important that the survivor feels empowered to set boundaries around how much and when they want to share, as support needs may vary.
Speaking up about GBV empowers survivors to reclaim their voice, take their power back and control their narratives. When people speak out it creates awareness and destigmatizes abuse, therefore breaking the cycle of silence for all affected by GBV.
Speaking up and seeking support facilitates the process of holding perpetrators accountable. This serves a warning and prevents potential perpetrators from committing acts of violence against women and girls
Also, when survivors seek support, they are empowered to pursue their goals and attain their potential thus accelerating the drive towards gender equality.
“My husband used to not care about my state of mind before initiating sex with me. It was like I had no opinion. But today, after several sessions with community mobilizers, we now have to discuss before sex” Survivor, after receiving counselling from a MenEngage Cameroon Project
Sonke has built strong networks of service providers in the communities that survivors are referred to for support. At one of the Sonke run sessions with young women and girls to sensitise them on GBV and reporting pathways, a young woman in the group spoke up about being in an abusive relationship but, was afraid to leave because of the threats made by the partner. The other young women assisted her with opening a protection order until she eventually moved out of the place she shared with the abusive partner. The group member was referred for psychosocial support to a service within Sonke’s network.
The participant has this to say after she received support “I will always be grateful to Sonke programs for helping me realise that I was in an abusive relationship, now I am free. I encourage all women to leave toxic relationships, do not be afraid.”
The National Strategic Plan (NSP), a government strategy adopted in 2020 to end Gender based violence and Femicide in South Africa is a corner stone the fight against GBV. Sonke with other civil society organizations had been part of advocating for the NSP since 2014 under the Stop Violence Gender Violence Campaign with no take up until the Total Shut Down march in 2018. Civil society organization organised under the banner of Call to Action to demand President Cyril Ramaphosa to act against GBV. The NSP is centred around six pillars:
Pillar 1: Accountability, Coordination, and Leadership
Pillar 2: Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion
Pillar 3: Justice, Safety, and Protection
Pillar 4: Response, Care, Support, and Healing
Pillar 5: Economic Power
Pillar 6: Research and Information Systems
Pillar four of the NSP on GBVF Pillar Four is about response care and healing for survivors of GBV. This pillar coordinates organizations and government departments efforts for survivors to access GBV healing care and support services. Government and civil society recognize the trauma that comes with experiencing GBV and the need to prioritize support and healing for survivors.
During these 16 days of activism, we hope that those who have fallen victim to or survived GBV would have the confidence to speak up and be adequately supported by those around them and access the necessary services for healing and recovery.
The call to action is to resource care support and healing for survivors of GBV for healing and recovery. While we advocate for the end of violence against women and girls, we also need to prioritise support services victims and survivors. One of the outcomes of pillar 4 of the NSP is to “Strengthen existing response, care and support services by the state and civil society in ways that are victim-centred and survivor-focused to facilitate recovery and healing”. A financial commitment needs to be made by government to finance shelters, places of safety, sensitisation of all state officials to be survivor centred and recruitments of psychologist, psychiatrists and social workers for the purposes of rebuilding their lives for all survivors of GBV. Survivors need assurance that there is adequate support for them when they have spoken up about GBV, as this is a sure way to healing.
National helpline numbers
| National GBV Helpline | 0800 150 150 |
| LifeLine South Africa | 0800 012 322 |
| AIDS Helpline | 0800 012 322 |
| National Counselling Line | 0861 322 322 |
| Childline South Africa | 0800 055 555 |
| South African Police Service | 10111 |
| Legal Aid | 0800 110 110 |
| South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) | 24-HOUR TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY HELPLINES Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567 Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline 0800 12 13 14 SMS 32312 Cipla Mental Health Helpline 0800 456 789 SMS 31393 NPOwer SA Helpline 0800 515 515 SMS 43010 Healthcare Workers Care Network Helpline 0800 21 21 21 SMS 43001 |
Written by Thembelihle Madi
Edited by Eucharia Nkengafack
