Understanding the Different Forms of Abuse During 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
South Africa’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children is a powerful annual campaign running from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to December 10 (Human Rights Day). This initiative is a global call to action that aims to raise awareness, promote accountability, and push for long-term solutions to end gender-based violence (GBV). In a country where GBV remains an epidemic, this period serves as a crucial time to reflect on the deep-rooted causes of violence, advocate for systemic change, and support survivors.
Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue in South Africa, affecting women, children, and gender minorities from all walks of life, and the statistics are staggering. According to the South African Police Service, a woman is murdered every three hours in the country, and thousands of women and children experience various forms of abuse every day. The 16 Days of Activism provides an opportunity not only to reflect on the severity of the problem but also to address the often-overlooked aspects of GBV that affect individuals’ lives in subtle yet damaging ways.
While physical violence is often the most talked about, GBV manifests in many different forms. Recognising the various types of abuse is vital for fostering greater awareness, supporting those affected, and empowering individuals to break free from cycles of violence. During these 16 days, it's essential to highlight the different faces of abuse and remind people that all forms of violence are unacceptable.
Here are 8 forms of abuse, both common and less recognised. Understand them, recognize the signs, and stand against them.
1. Physical Abuse
Physical abuse includes hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, choking, or using weapons to harm someone. It is the most commonly recognised form of violence, but its devastating impact goes far beyond the bruises or broken bones it leaves behind. In South Africa, the rates of femicide (the killing of women because of their gender) are shockingly high, and physical violence is a major factor contributing to these figures. Physical abuse can occur within intimate relationships, families, or even in broader social contexts.
2. Emotional and Psychological Abuse
Emotional abuse involves patterns of behavior designed to undermine a person’s confidence, independence, or mental health. This can include verbal insults, manipulation, humiliation, gaslighting, or isolation from loved ones. While less visible, the damage to self-esteem and mental well-being can be profound.
3. Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is any non-consensual sexual act or behavior that is forced upon an individual. This includes rape, molestation, sexual harassment, and coercion. Sexual violence, including intimate partner rape, remains alarmingly widespread, with many women and children being forced into sexual acts against their will. It violates a person’s autonomy and dignity, often leaving lasting physical and emotional scars. Victims often face the trauma of not only the assault itself but also social stigma, victim-blaming, and the lack of proper legal support.
4. Financial or Economic Abuse
This is a form of abuse where the abuser restricts or withholds access to financial resources, making it difficult for the victim to sustain themselves, gain independence, or leave the abusive situation. This form of abuse often goes unnoticed, especially in situations where the victim is financially dependent on the abuser. This can be especially harmful for women who may already face gender inequality in the workplace or have limited access to resources.
5. Digital Abuse
With the rise of social media and digital platforms, digital abuse has become an increasingly pervasive issue. This involves using technology to stalk, harass, or control a person. It includes tactics such as sharing intimate photos without consent (often referred to as “revenge porn”), online harassment, cyberbullying, and using social media to track or intimidate someone. Digital abuse is relevant in worldwide, where social media plays a significant role in daily life and has become a powerful tool for both perpetrators and survivors.
6. Neglect
Often overlooked, neglect is a form of abuse that involves failing to provide basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or emotional support. This is particularly common in cases involving children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. Neglect often leads to long-term physical and emotional harm and is prevalent in areas of South Africa where access to healthcare, education, and social services is limited.
7. Cultural or Spiritual Abuse
This type of abuse involves using religious or cultural beliefs to control or manipulate an individual, often by justifying harmful practices. This can include forced marriages, child marriage, and harmful cultural practices like ukuthwala (abducting young girls to force them into marriage). In South Africa, where many diverse cultures and religions coexist, these practices can be used to justify and normalise violence against women and children. It is important to recognise that these abuses are not part of any culture or religion, but rather an abuse of power that harms the most vulnerable.
8. Stalking
Stalking is another form of abuse that involves persistently following, monitoring, or harassing someone, causing them fear or distress. Stalking behaviors can include constant phone calls, showing up at the victim’s workplace or home, and using technology to track or surveil someone. This form of abuse is especially dangerous because it often escalates into physical violence, and the growing use of smartphones and social media makes stalking a significant issue.
How to Take Action During the 16 Days of Activism
Recognising the different forms of abuse is a critical first step, but meaningful change requires collective effort. Here’s how you can contribute during this campaign:
Educate Yourself and Others: Share information about abuse and its various forms with your community.
Support Survivors: Listen without judgment, provide resources, and advocate for their rights.
Donate or Volunteer: Support organizations working to end GBV and provide aid to survivors.
Challenge Harmful Norms: Speak out against gender inequality, toxic masculinity, and victim-blaming narratives.
Advocate for Policy Change: Push for laws and programs that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.
The 16 Days of Activism remind us that no form of abuse should be tolerated. By recognising its many faces and taking action, we can work together to dismantle the systems that enable violence and create a world where everyone, regardless of gender, can live free from fear.
Resources for Survivors in South Africa
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, help is available:
GBV Command Centre (24-hour toll-free number): 0800 428 428
Tears Foundation (24-hour helpline): 010 590 5920
PowA (People Opposing Women Abuse): 011 642 4345
The 16 Days of Activism remind us that ending GBV is not just a women’s issue—it’s a societal issue. By understanding the many forms of abuse and taking meaningful action, South Africans can work together to build a future where women and children are safe, empowered, and free from violence.
