Gender-Based Violence and Mental Health
Gender-based
violence (GBV) refers to violence directed at a person because of their sex or
gender. It can affect anyone and takes many forms, including physical, sexual,
emotional, psychological, verbal and economic abuse, as well as the deliberate
deprivation of opportunities and resources. GBV can occur in homes, schools,
workplaces, communities and online spaces.
While
women and girls are disproportionately affected, men and boys can also
experience GBV, and many cases go unreported because of fear, stigma or a lack
of access to appropriate support. Survivors often carry the emotional
consequences of violence for many years, which is why understanding its impact
on mental health matters so much.
Who Is
at Risk
GBV
occurs across all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Certain factors can
increase the risk of exposure. These include having experienced violence or
abuse during childhood, substance misuse, harmful gender norms and behaviours
that treat violence as acceptable, poor communication and unresolved conflict
within relationships, and economic and social inequalities that leave people
dependent on others. Community attitudes that normalise or tolerate violence
also play a powerful role, because they can make it harder for survivors to be
believed and supported.
The
Mental Health Impact of Violence
GBV
can have serious short- and long-term effects on a survivor’s physical,
emotional and mental wellbeing. Physical injuries are often the most visible
consequence, but sexual and reproductive health complications can also follow.
Many survivors experience depression and anxiety, and post-traumatic stress
disorder is common. Some turn to alcohol or other substances to cope, and
others withdraw from friends, family and activities that once gave them joy.
Self-esteem can be deeply damaged, and in some cases the distress becomes so
overwhelming that survivors think about self-harm or suicide.
Children
who witness or experience violence at home may also develop emotional and
behavioural difficulties. These can affect their schooling, friendships and
relationships later in life, and they can carry the effects of early exposure
well into adulthood. Protecting children from exposure, and supporting them
when harm has already occurred, is essential.
Why
Survivors Often Stay Silent
Many
survivors do not speak about what has happened to them. They may fear being
blamed, disbelieved or shamed. They may worry about the consequences for their
children, their finances, their home or their safety. They may depend on the
person who harmed them, or they may simply not know where to turn.
Understanding these barriers helps those around survivors respond with patience
and compassion rather than pressure or judgement.
Preventing
Violence and Promoting Recovery
Preventing
GBV requires collective action from individuals, families, communities and
institutions. Effective approaches include providing safe and accessible
psychosocial support for survivors, encouraging early reporting and
help-seeking, and promoting healthy communication and respectful relationships
from a young age. Challenging harmful gender norms and attitudes, strengthening
social and economic empowerment, and increasing community awareness and
education all help to build an environment in which violence is less likely to
occur and survivors are more likely to be believed.
For
survivors, recovery is a journey that often involves several forms of support.
Trauma-informed counselling can help people process what they have experienced
and rebuild a sense of safety. Safety planning, support groups, practical help
and, where needed, medical and legal assistance all contribute to recovery.
Recovery does not follow a single path, and it is important that survivors are
able to set their own pace and make their own choices.
How to
Respond If Someone Tells You
If
someone discloses that they have experienced violence, your response matters a
great deal. Listen calmly and without judgement. Believe them, and avoid asking
probing questions that may cause further distress. Tell them that the violence
is not their fault, and respect their right to decide what they do next. Help
them to find support, whether that means a counsellor, a medical professional
or a trusted organisation, and offer to accompany them if they would find that
helpful. If you are worried that someone is in immediate danger, make sure they
are not left alone and seek urgent help.
Our
Commitment at Chiromo Hospital Group
At
Chiromo Hospital Group, we recognise the significant psychological impact that
violence and abuse can have on individuals and families. We are committed to
providing confidential, compassionate and dignified mental health support to
survivors as they navigate their recovery. Our team works with survivors at
their own pace, focusing on safety, healing and rebuilding a life they feel is
their own. With greater awareness, early intervention and collective action, we
can help create safer communities and support survivors to recover in dignity.
Where to
Find Help
If
you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call the Chiromo Hospital Group
Emergency Line at +254 203 971 000, or come to the nearest Chiromo Hospital
Group facility.
CHG Support
• Call Emergency Line +254 203 971 000
