EMPD takes a stance against GBV
Although both women and men experience gender-based violence, many victims are women and young girls.
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to violence directed towards a person based on their gender.
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Although both women and men experience gender-based violence, many victims are women and young girls.
Types of gender-based violence include:
• Domestic violence is the most common form of GBV among partners and often involves physical violence or threats of violence. This kind of violence may also involve sexual assault, physical assault, coercion, and sexual harassment.
• Physical violence involves hitting, slapping, kicking, punching, pushing and other actions. Weapons such as guns, knives and other sharp instruments are often used.
• Emotional violence involves verbal abuse, name-calling and belittling of the other, and often entails acts of embarrassment, humiliation, and disrespect. These acts affect one’s sense of self, self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Economic violence entails the control of a partner’s assets, access to money and other economic resources.
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• Sexual violence is the most common form of GBV and may involve rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and trafficking for sexual purposes.
• Femicide characterises the murder of a female partner by an intimate male partner and is considered the most extreme outcome of GBV.
What to do if you or someone else is being abused?
Although not all forms of GBV are punishable under the law, several protective measures are available to victims. These measures include:
• Reach out for help and support to a friend, family member or someone else who has experienced or is experiencing GBV.
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• Do not suffer in silence. If you are physically, psychologically (mentally), emotionally or sexually abused, talk to someone you can trust, such as a friend, neighbour, relative, spiritual leader or elder, doctor or counsellor.
• Get professional help by opening a criminal case against the abuser for rape, sexual assault or physical violence, or applying for a protection order at your nearest magistrate’s court.
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