Even if you are not personally affected by gender-based violence (GBV), you can contribute to curbing it and help to create a kinder, better South Africa.
“Domestic violence and GBV is the real state of disaster in South Africa,” said Adv. Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, executive director of Mosaic.
Mosaic is a community-based non-governmental organisation working to prevent and reduce abuse and domestic violence, which reached almost 22 000 people in 2020-’21.
Mosaic gives five tips to help cure this social ill:
- Learn the signs of abuse. This can be obvious (bruises, cuts and other injuries), subtle (fearful demeanour), or invisible. Abuse is also not just physical, but includes verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, economic or spiritual abuse.
- Listen to and believe the survivors, who have a fear of not being believed. Sometimes outsiders can be in denial that someone they know is in an abusive situation. “Victim blaming” can also take place.
- Understand consent. “No” does not mean “yes” and sayings such as “boys will be boys” or “she was asking for it” do not solve the problem.
- Guard against a rape culture. According to the United Nations Women, rape culture is, “the social environment that allows sexual violence to be normalised and justified, fuelled by the persistent gender inequalities and attitudes about gender and sexuality”. We need to work to cut off the elements that fuel it, says Mosaic.
- Harmful attitudes include ideas like “the man is the boss of the house” or that women should not express their sexuality.
- Fund organisations dedicated to helping GBV survivors. Non-profit organisations often show that a little can go a long way.
- Do not be discouraged if you do not have a lot to give, because even the smallest amount can help.
