Gaslighting of GBV victims attributed to lack of knowledge

#NotInMy International’s Lesego Mahlangu believes that the gaslighting of Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims by social media users, and sometimes the society they live in, is due to the lack of knowledge around this sensitive issue.

Mahlangu’s remarks come on the backdrop of influencer, Mihlali Ndamase, receiving backlash on digital platforms after she released her open letter, in which she claims to have been a domestic violence victim at the hands of her former partner, Leeroy Sidambe.

The only toxic thing here Mihlali is you ….

You deliberately dated a fully married man with kids and flaunted him and rubbed off your elicit affairs on Leeroy’s wife.

Hoeing is toxic

Learn or perish 🚮🤡pic.twitter.com/n5mY67N1Ko

— Norma Kay (@realnorma_kay) August 12, 2024

Mahlangu says not enough contingencies are implemented to enlighten the public about the scourge, and their role in its prevalence.

“While we speak about Gender-Based Violence a lot, it is often reactionary and hardly is there a programme of action that is put into place educated communities on what is GBV, and the roles which communities play in perpetuating, preventing, and advocating against GBV,” adds the researcher.

Mahlangu says people need to equip themselves with proper understanding and awareness about the phenomenon that’s currently plaguing the country, leaving to women, sometimes, being battered and killed by their intimate partners.

According to research, the femicide rate in the country is more than five times the global average.

“People need to be able to breakdown the complexities in order to identify GVB when it plays out. We equally need to recognise just how much GBV affect us and is most likely going to land on our doorsteps. Such measures can only come about when there are proper, proactive programmes of action that are put into place to educate our communities, but also ensure that communities realise that it is primarily their duty to combat GBV wherever it may find itself,” says Mahlangu,

She believes not enough systems and institutions are put into place to encourage GBV victims to speak out. She says what further exacerbates this, is public outrage, which places the burden on victims to prove perpetrators’ misdeeds to validate their own case.

“We do not have structures put into place to protect victims, but also protect the process that comes after coming forward.”

Mahlangu deems it pertinent for victims to approach crime prevention facilities with their issues.

“If anyone is a victim of GBV, domestic violence, intimate partner relationship violence, they should report the matter to their courts,” advises Mahlangu.

Mahlangu says besides typical facilities such as police stations, other avenues, such as social workers stationed within government hospitals and clinics, can be explored by GBV victims.

Her call comes amid continued efforts by government and other stakeholders to stem the tide.

Among other measures recently taken, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Women’s Day launched the call to action by signing a pledge to take a stand against GBV and femicide (GBVF).

The pledge commits men to be allies; form part of the solution to maintain positive behaviour and attitudes as well as to take responsibility for their actions. Written by Odirile Rabolao