Gender-based Violence

Question 1

3 Forms of GBV and their definitions

Answer 1

Sexual - Any sexual act performed on an individual without their consent.

Physical - Any act which causes physical harm because of
unlawful physical force.

Psychological - Any act which causes psychological harm
to an individual.

Question 2

The reasons that so many incidents of rape go

unreported to the police

Answer 2

• fear of retaliation or intimidation by the perpetrator
• the fact that many survivors lack access to services
• the personal humiliation of being exposed as a victim of rape in a community
• the extreme suffering that goes hand in hand with rape as a psychological trauma
• reluctance to cause pain to loved ones
• the fact that the offender is often known to the victim and frequently a member of the victim’s family
• the possibility of negative financial consequences, particularly if the victim is a child and the family relies on the perpetrator’s income to survive.

Question 3

Gang rape definition

Answer 3

Gang rape is where a person is raped by more than one other person.

Question 4

Acquaintance rape definition

Answer 4

Acquaintance rape is forced sex by someone the victim knows.

Question 5

Date rape definition

Answer 5

Date rape is when someone makes a date with a person with the intention of raping them.

Question 6

Statutory rape definition

Answer 6

Statutory rape is when a person has, or tries to have, unlawful sex with a person under the age of consent (16 years of age)

Sex with a child under the age of 12 years, whether or not they consent, is seen as rape.

Question 7

Emotional effects of GBV

Answer 7

depression, feelings of guilt, feelings of anger, afraid to trust people, fear of abuser

Question 8

Psychological effects of GBV

Answer 8

increased likelihood of substance abuse, development of PTSD, persistent nightmares (specifically in children), anxiety

Question 9

Steps to take after rape

Answer 9

1. Tell someone you trust and seek help immediately.
2. Health care: seek medical help as quickly as you can. (don’t wash because rape kit for evidence)
3. Contact the police and report it
4. Get emotional support

Question 10

What is rape culture?

Answer 10

The normalisation of rape and GBV in general (very prevalent in SA)

Question 11

What is domestic violence?

Answer 11

Domestic violence can be defined as any controlling or abusive behaviour between those in a domestic relationship which causes harm to a person’s safety, health, or well-being.