How gender‑based violence is scarring South Africa's youth
Image: Pixabay
South Africa's youth are paying a heavy mental price for a crisis that has become painfully commonplace: gender-based violence (GBV).
Whether in homes, schools or communities, exposure to inappropriate conduct, ranging from bullying and harassment to sexual assault and rape, has left a silent, psychological burden on children and adolescents.
Disturbingly, repeated exposure has led many young South Africans to become desensitised, trivialising what should alarm us all.
Desensitisation
An alarming by‑product has emerged: desensitisation. When horrific news such as rape, femicide, and assault appears daily via social media, schools and news outlets, children react with indifference.
Instead of shock, they respond with emojis and memes - emotional armour that protects but also disconnects.
In a Johannesburg Youth Research Study, 58% of adolescents admitted they 'no longer feel upset' when hearing about gendered violence incidents, citing overload and helplessness. This emotional numbing undermines empathy. A generation on the edge
According to the World Health Organization, survivors of GBV are significantly more likely to experience mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicide and substance abuse.
In South Africa, where GBV prevalence remains among the world's highest, the impact on youth is extremely high.
Organisations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) report that children exposed to domestic or gendered violence are at higher risk of emotional dysregulation and behavioural problems, affecting them into adulthood.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Lifelong consequences
Early trauma from GBV exposure reshapes young minds. Studies show PTSD in children can lead to long-term issues: chronic depression, difficulty forming relationships, poor academic performance and in some cases, lowered life expectancy.
Research published in The Lancet Psychiatry indicates that traumatic experiences in childhood double the risk of mental disorders in later life. Early intervention
Intervention works, but only if implemented early. Schools are crucial - trauma-informed counselling, safe classroom guidelines and education on respectful relationships empower youth to speak out and seek help.
Community programmes like The Soul City Institute for Social Justice have seen improved self-esteem and reduced acceptance of rape myths among teens participating in psychosocial workshops.
Family and community roles
Parents and caregivers play a vital role. Learning signs of traumatised children - nightmares, aggression, withdrawal, and responding with empathy and professional referral can prevent long-term harm. Community spaces such as youth centres can also offer mentorship, safe spaces, and access to therapy. Policy and health systems are critical
While Non‑Governmental Organisations provide immediate support, state engagement is essential for scale and sustainability. The South African National Mental Health Policy Framework has called for provincial mental health services to integrate trauma management for youth, but implementation remains a challenge.
In order for this to succeed, more funding, training of school social workers, and access to child‑friendly professional services must become a national priority. Rebuilding connection
Desensitisation does not signify resilience; it signals resignation. Rebuilding empathy in South Africa's youth depends on reconnecting them to their own emotional core. Simple acts such as guided discussions, creative expression through art and writing, peer‑led support systems, all help restore trust in emotions, validate lived experiences and re-stimulate emotional engagement.
The mental toll of GBV on youth is both deep and damaging. South African organisations, educators, families and empathetic policy-makers can restore hope. Normalising therapy, encouraging emotional literacy in schools, and training professionals to recognise and treat trauma early can reshape a generation.
IOL Lifestyle
Help is available
Image: SADAG
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
'Half SA's Covid-19 patients suffered long-term mental problems'
Researchers have found that more than half of South Africans infected with Covid-19 experienced lasting mental and cognitive health issues long after their recovery — some for as long as up to two years later. The research, conducted by the University of Cape Town and published in the journal Brain, Behaviour & Immunity — Health, followed 97 people who tested positive for Covid-19 during the first three waves of the pandemic. These people — ranging from those who had no symptoms to those who were critically ill — were interviewed at least six months after they were infected to assess ongoing neuropsychiatric symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and memory problems. Lead researcher Prof Jonny Peter said they found that illness severity didn't necessarily predict who would go on to experience these long-term effects. Even people who had mild or no symptoms reported problems months later. 'Nearly half of the participants showed signs of cognitive or memory difficulties on standard screening tests, and over 50% reported ongoing fatigue or mental health challenges,' he said. 'The team also looked for early warning signs in the blood — specific proteins or markers taken during the patients' illness that might help predict who would develop these persistent symptoms.' Peter said no clear patterns emerged.
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
UKZN medical student Margareth Zevute's journey from small-town dream to UCLA elective
Final-year UKZN Medical student Ms Margareth Zevute will be doing her three-week elective at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA.) Image: Supplied/UKZN From dressing as a doctor for her Grade 5 career day to completing a prestigious three-week elective at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), final-year medical student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Margareth Zevute's journey is one of persistence, passion, and purpose. 'I remember one of my teachers saying, 'You're going to make an incredible doctor one day,'' Zevute recalls. 'Those words have stayed with me ever since.' Her path has started unconventionally, as she pursued a BClinical Medical Practice degree before entering the MBChB programme. But her determination recently saw her selected for an international elective at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, one of the world's top medical institutions. While abroad, she rotated through various departments within family medicine, learning about different healthcare models, especially how American institutions are responding to vulnerable populations. A standout moment for her was engaging with the concept of "street medicine"—a model that echoes South Africa's mobile clinics by taking healthcare directly to the unhoused and undocumented communities. 'California has a high population of unhoused individuals and immigrants who face significant barriers to accessing care,' Zevute said. 'The services they receive may not match private healthcare levels, but they are still more accessible than what many South Africans can get through the public health system.' Zevute was inspired by the American tertiary education system's flexibility and the emphasis on mutual respect between healthcare workers and patients. 'This was my first time abroad, and it was a truly beautiful experience,' said the 20-something from Virginia, a small gold-mining town in the Free State. 'It shifted my perspective in so many ways.' To students considering international opportunities, Zevute offered the following advice: 'Grab the opportunity with both hands. It can expand your worldview, introduce you to new networks, and deepen your understanding of your profession.' Zevute credits her success to her strong support system—her family, friends, and deep faith in God. 'I have an incredible community of people who want to see me thrive, and I feel the same about them.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Beyond academics, Zevute is deeply engaged in community service and leadership. In 2022, she led the UKZN Medical School Running Club and is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. She also founded Redefining Mzansi, a non-profit that supports underprivileged communities and promotes spiritual well-being. She currently serves as the Women of Virtue leader within the Medical Students Christian Fellowship and continues to use her spare time to uplift others, both through service and inspiration. As she prepares to complete her MBChB degree, Zevute has her sights set on specialising in Paediatrics. 'I want to serve and make a meaningful difference in people's lives—especially those who need it most,' she said. Her journey from a hopeful Grade 5 pupil to a global medical scholar is not only a personal triumph but a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, faith, and a heart for service. IOL
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Daily Maverick
‘Vapes are safe alternatives to smoking' — and other lies they told us
A World Health Organization report released this week has some ideas on how to fight Big Tobacco's influence machine, just as an SA Bill regulating newer tobacco products has finally reached the health committee in Parliament. It's about time, says Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, a University of Pretoria professor who is a member of the WHO study group on tobacco product regulation. Smoking a cigarette on a plane was normal until tobacco control laws put a stop to it. The new normal: taking a puff on any of the latest electronic devices in a shopping centre where smoking isn't allowed. Big Tobacco is good at adapting. With fewer people smoking cigarettes globally, the industry has pivoted its playbook toward electronic devices like vapes and heated tobacco products (HTP). The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Tobacco Epidemic report, which was released at this week's World Conference on Tobacco Control in Dublin, shows how graphic warnings on packaging and anti-tobacco campaigns can fight against the tobacco industry influence machine, including these new product lines. It is a timely release for South Africa. Our own Bill, meant to better regulate tobacco products, including new ones such as electronic delivery systems, is finally — nearly seven years after first being gazetted — in front of Parliament's health committee hearing oral submissions from stakeholders. The WHO report shows what we are up against. Pages from the playbook The report lays out how Big Tobacco's well-honed tactics — and some new ones — are being used to sell new products and keep legislation to slow sales down at bay. Among these are co-opting the term harm reduction — an evidence-based way to help lower the effects of drug use or risky behaviours on someone's health — to push the newer products as 'safer alternatives' to traditional cigarettes. The industry has also funded its own science to discredit existing independent research on its products, and pays the media to publish sponsored articles it has written, such as this one which appeared on TimesLIVE in November 2024, arguing there is sufficient evidence that electronic tobacco products are safe and effective harm-reduction tools, or this one published by News24 in January, boosting British American Tobacco-sponsored studies that underplay the potential harm of the chemical contained in electronic products, says Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, public health expert from the University of Pretoria and a member of the WHO's study group on tobacco product regulation. The industry also exaggerates the size of the illicit market to keep taxes low, arguing that if government increases taxes on tobacco products, it will drive smuggling. It says plain packaging — which is what South Africa's current draft Bill calls for — will also increase illicit trade, although the WHO says it can actually help with enforcement by making illicit products easier to detect. In many countries, illicit trade can refer to counterfeit products or smuggled foreign cigarettes. But a 2023 study in the South African Crime Quarterly showed that in South Africa, it's more about legitimate domestic manufacturers who find ways to avoid paying proper taxes while producing branded cigarettes. Ayo-Yusuf agrees: 'It's got nothing to do with tobacco legislation and everything to do with the criminal element in the industry.' Where there's smoke E-cigarettes and vapes — electronic devices that heat a liquid containing additives and chemicals, which are often flavoured to appeal to children and adolescents — and HTPs, tobacco devices that electronically heat products that contain actual tobacco instead of burning it, are defined in our draft regulation as electronic delivery systems and tobacco devices. While some of the liquids don't contain nicotine, many do, making them no less addictive than cigarettes. In fact, inhaling the aerosol from vapes can cause lung damage and heart problems, while HTPs still emit 'tobacco smoke' with harmful chemicals — some at lower levels than cigarettes, others higher, and some not even found in cigarettes. Yet HTPs dodge tobacco rules in South Africa that bar the promotion of tobacco and public area smoking, even though they contain tobacco. 'They're violating the current tobacco laws in broad daylight,' says Ayo-Yusuf. 'You cannot market or promote tobacco products. But you see people smoking in public places and you have whole HTP stores and stands in shopping malls.' That's what the Bill is trying to put an end to. It will apply strict laws to newer devices: no use in public spaces; no advertising, online sales or claims that they're less harmful than cigarettes; and regulations will require graphic health warnings as well as plain packaging to deter people from using them. If it is passed in its current form, it will also be the end of fruit-flavoured vapes, which have been heavily marketed to children — only tobacco and menthol flavours will be allowed. We spoke to Ayo-Yusuf about the growing market for heated tobacco, harm reduction and how regulation can keep pace. This is an edited version of our conversation. Zano Kunene (ZK): How well does SA do in tobacco control? Lekan Ayo-Yusuf (LAY): Not well, relative to other countries in Africa and globally. The Bill is very good and will change the whole tobacco and nicotine control landscape, but we have been waiting [seven years for it]. Since it was introduced in 2018, we have seen the number of smokers grow from 9.5-million to 14.9-million in 2024. ZK: Which smoking products are tobacco companies pushing in SA? LAY: Vapes are a big one as we had 4.1% of people between 16 and 34 using [them] in 2018, and now we are sitting at 7.7%. Heated tobacco use is also increasing, which I've been monitoring since 2021, and using data from Nielsen to pick up on which products are being sold. ZK: What are HTPs and how do they differ from conventional cigarettes? LAY: Traditional cigarettes burn tobacco so you can inhale nicotine, which makes the brain release dopamine and makes you feel good, but comes with harmful chemicals from the tobacco and the paper. HTPs have a coil that is charged by a battery that heats a stick filled with tobacco leaves. The difference is that you do not have the chemicals that come from the burning process, otherwise you have everything else. ZK: Why does the industry call them harm reduction tools? LAY: The industry has jumped ahead to say they reduce harm, but what we actually know is it reduces exposure to harmful chemicals. In theory, they could lower harm over time, but it is not a linear process. Whether lowering toxins from 100 to 20, for example, is enough to reduce your harm from cardiovascular disease or cancer will take you a long time to find out. The industry says they are targeting smokers trying to quit. The easiest evidence for this would be a drop in cigarette smoking. But since e-cigarettes entered the market in 2010, there is no evidence showing that smoking has reduced.
