International Day of Non-Violence: Sexual Violence on Men, Women and Children
Genevieve Burrow, PsySSA Student Division
The 2nd October marks the International Day of Non-Violence. Statistics released by the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the period of April 2018 – March 2019, show that 52, 420 sexual offences were recorded (SAPS, 2019).
Reportedly, 45.6% of South African women experience physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence. The mental health implications are extensive, and include possible depression, anxiety, suicide, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse (Mpani and Nsibande, 2015).
The South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (SAMSOSA) reports that in 2012, 19.4% of sexual assault victims were men (Maseko, 2015). This figure is likely much higher, as many cases are not reported due to the shame and mockery victims are subjected to. Male victims of sexual crimes demonstrate an increased risk of PTSD, depression, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and intimacy challenges.
The University of Cape Town’s Children’s Institute notes that 41% of all reported rape cases account for child victimisation. Immediate psychological symptoms may include shock, fear, anxiety, guilt, withdrawal, and symptoms of PTSD. Long-term effects extending into adulthood may include depression, anxiety, PTSD, self-mutilation, suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and substance abuse (Jamieson et al, 2017).
There are organisations available for men, women and children survivors of sexual assault:
Tears:
Helpline: *134*7355#
SMS: *134*7355#
Landline: 010 590 5920
Email: info@tears.co.za
LifeLine (National):
24-hour counselling line: 0861 322 322 or 011 422 4242
Western Cape: 021 461 1111
Gauteng: 011 728 1347
KwaZulu-Natal: 031 303 1344
Website: http://lifelinesa.co.za/
Rape Crisis Cape Town:
Head office: 021 447 1467
Athlone: 021 684 1180
Email: communications@rapecrisis.org.za
South African Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (SAMASOSA)
Telephone: 071 280 9918
Website: www.samsosa.org
MatrixMen:
Telephone: 078 457 4911
Website: https://www.matrixmen.org/
Childline:
Telephone: 08000 55 555
Email: olcadmin@childlinesa.org.za (Counselling/Case Enquiries)
Website: http://www.childlinesa.org.za/
Lecture Announcement – The Possibilities (and Limits) of Liberation Psychology: Implications for Understanding Social Suffering, Resistance, and Solidarity in the Majority World by Prof Dutta and Sonn
PsySSA Western Cape Branch NHI Discussion
On Saturday, 28 September, the PsySSA Western Cape branch hosted a discussion about the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI) system at the Cornerstone Institute in Cape Town. The speaker, Professor Sharon Kleintjies (University of Cape Town and PsySSA’s Psychology in Public Service Additional Committee Member), provided a comprehensive discussion about the NHI bill and its implication for Psychological services. The questions raised by Psychology professionals in attendance will be included in the feedback as a response to the bill through PsySSA structures. The event was very well-attended and will hopefully lead to further sessions for engagement and feedback to minister.
IN MEMORIUM: Rachel C Prinsloo,19 November 1954 -25 September 2019
It is with great sadness that PsySSA has heard of the passing away of its founding President Rachel Prinsloo, PhD.
Elected on 21 January 1994 as first PsySSA President at the Psychology Unity Conference that was held at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Rachel had to manage the contentious issues of forming one national organisation for all of psychology. In leading PsySSA pre-democracy, Rachel charted a progressive path from our deeply divided racialised past, which saw calumny heaped on the nefarious roles that psychology played in our polity.
Rachel began her distinguished career in psychology at UWC, where she pioneered bridging activities during the apartheid era. She was HoD in the Department of Psychology for two terms and continued in various other positions at other universities, eventually serving as academic transformation specialist at UNISA. Her immense critical insight into curriculum design and theory for enablement of both academics and students will be sorely felt as our country grapples with the questions of decoloniality and relevance during a period of much economic uncertainty and social insecurity. Amongst her numerous accolades was the “Advocacy and Promotion of Women’s Rights” and overall “Woman of the Year Award” at UNISA in 2016. Rachel joins Professors Patrick T Sibaya and Siphiwe Ngcobo in PsySSA’s Posthumous Presidents, whose commitment and wisdom continues to guide PsySSA and the discipline of Psychology.
- A memorial service will be held from 19:00 – 20:15 on Wednesday 2 October 2019 at St Barnabas United Church, 21 Madeline Street, Florida, Johannesburg.
- A funeral service will be held at 10:00 on Saturday 5 October 2019 at the same Church.
Working Draft…PsySSA written response on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill
Thank you or your submissions, the feedback for the written response on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill has been closed.