Gender-Based Violence (specifically violence against women) in the form of rape, sexual assault and femicide is a national crisis we are facing as a country.  According to Crime against Women in South Africa’s 2018 report (Report 03-40-05), 68,5% of reported sexual assault cases are women. It is also stated that South Africa has one of the highest rape figures in the world.

The recent murder of Uyinene Mrwetyana, a first-year film and media studies student at the University of Cape Town, has again highlighted the extreme violence faced by women in South Africa. Ms Mrwetyana’s was allegedly raped and murdered in a Cape Town post office. Her alleged killer is facing charges of rape, murder and defeating the ends of justice.

The Human Resource Library reports that Gender-Based Violence can have negative psychological consequences,  which includes fear, mistrust of others, loneliness, post-traumatic stress disorder, loneliness, suicide, and substance abuse. GBV doesn’t just affect the individual, but also their family, friends and communities as a whole.

Survivors of Gender-Based Violence in South Africa who are suffering from the aftermath can reach out to the following organisations for help:

National GBV Helpline: 0800 150 150

LifeLine National Helpline: 0861 322 322

Johannesburg

Life Line: 011 728 1331 (Johannesburg)

               : 067 019 0845/ 074 129 6960 (Soweto)

               : 011 443 3555 (Alexandra)

Teddy Bear Clinic (children): 011 484 4554

Tears Foundation:  *134*7355# (SMS Helpline)

                                  : 010 590 5920

People Opposing Women Abuse: 011 642 4345

Cape Town:

                Rape Crisis Centre: 021 447 97 62

                The Counselling Hub (Woodstock): 021 462 3902

KZN:

                LifeLine: 031 303 1344

                Jes Foord Foundation: 0861 333 449

There are also Thuthuzela Care Centres throughout South Africa (including Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga and Western Cape) that provide care and support (psychological, medical and legal) to rape survivors.

Follow this link to access a list of all their branches and their respective contact numbers: https://www.npa.gov.za/sites/default/files/resources/public_awareness/TCC_brochure_august_2009.pdf

Written by Marguerite Bergman, PsySSA SD

The Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) has offered their skills to help South Africans involved in past and present conflicts, including xenophobic violence, to heal. PsySSA understands the need to look at the causes of current xenophobic violence and to find a lasting solution. All those involved, including the community, government and victims, should be at the centre of any effort to find a solution to the conflict. 

“We need to heal from the wounds of the past and look at the causes of the current xenophobic violence and find lasting solutions with communities involved,” said Prof Saths Cooper, former president of PsySSA. “What has been happening the last fortnight has been the lowest point in SA’s democracy. Every sector is affected, but there does not seem to be a leadership to show that everything is under control, both from the politicians and the police.” 

In the latest attacks on Sunday, two people were killed in Johannesburg despite efforts by some leaders – including former IFP president Mangosuthu Buthelezi – to calm down their followers. Instead of backing down, the followers heckled the leader.

Prof Cooper condemned the law enforcement agencies – particularly crime intelligence – for failing to detect the xenophobic violence. “We have no effective crime intelligence that we can rely on. How do you have these gatherings where the violence was planned yet intelligence and law and order in general did not hear anything?… We need to look at the causes, otherwise we are denying the realities that are at play. We cannot solve the problem without looking deeper at the causes. As PsySSA, will are willing to help this nation to heal.” 

See full article from The Citizen