Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across the world, regardless of age, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. It includes a wide range of abuses, from physical and sexual violence to emotional, psychological, and economic harm. GBV disproportionately affects women and girls, but men, boys, and gender non-conforming individuals can also be victims. Despite its widespread nature, GBV often remains shrouded in silence due to stigma, fear, and societal pressures. This silence allows the cycle of violence to continue unchallenged. Speaking out against GBV is crucial for creating a world where everyone can live free from violence and fear.
The Scope of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-Based Violence is a global crisis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced either physical or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime. The United Nations (UN) estimates that millions of men and women are affected by GBV, including human trafficking, forced labor, child marriage, and other forms of abuse. These numbers, however, only reflect reported cases; the actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting.
GBV exists in both public and private spheres. It can occur in intimate relationships, within families, in workplaces, and even in schools or public spaces. It spans across all cultures, affecting rural and urban communities alike. The silence surrounding GBV allows the issue to persist, creating an environment in which perpetrators can act with impunity while survivors often suffer in isolation.
Why Victims and Survivors Stay Silent
One of the most significant barriers to combating GBV is the silence surrounding it. There are many reasons why survivors choose not to speak out:
Fear of Retaliation
Many victims fear further violence if they report the abuse. This fear is particularly acute in situations where the perpetrator holds power over the victim, such as in domestic violence cases. Victims may worry that speaking out could lead to increased harm to themselves or their children.
Stigma and Shame
Societal attitudes often place the blame on the victim, leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment. Survivors may internalize this shame, believing they are at fault for the abuse. This is especially true in cases of sexual violence, where victims are often subjected to victim-blaming and negative stereotypes.
Lack of Support
Many survivors do not speak out because they fear they won’t be believed or supported. In communities where there is a lack of legal protection or social services for GBV survivors, victims may feel that reporting the violence is futile. Moreover, survivors who depend on their abuser financially or emotionally may feel trapped, unable to leave or seek help.
Cultural and Religious Norms
In some cultures, GBV is normalized or justified by traditional gender roles, religious beliefs, or patriarchal systems. Survivors may be discouraged from speaking out due to cultural or religious pressures to maintain family honor or uphold community norms
Trauma and Fear of the Legal Process
For many survivors, the idea of reliving the trauma in a court or police setting is overwhelming. The legal process can be retraumatizing, especially in systems where survivors face intrusive questioning, long waits for justice, and little privacy. Fear of not being taken seriously or of facing hostile responses from law enforcement can deter survivors from seeking justice
