Violence and injuries in South Africa: prioritising an agenda for prevention

Seedat, Mohamed; Niekerk, Ashley van; Jewkes, Rachel; Suffla, Shahnaaz; Ratele, Kopano

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(09)60948-x

Cited by 531 publications

(465 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…Mental ill health among women has also been partially explained by pathways from other violent exposures, including histories of childhood physical and/or sexual abuse, rape by non-partners or other life traumatic events such as near-death experiences or being victims of crimes [8,10–13]. Multiple and repeat victimization compounds the negative mental health effects experienced by women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support factors associated with psychological resilience among women survivors of intimate partner violence in Gauteng, South Africa

Machisa

Christofides

Jewkes

2018

Global Health Action

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Background: Women’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) increase their risk for mental ill health. However, some women exposed to IPV and adversity are psychologically resilient and function well despite these exposures. Objectives: We conducted a study to investigate the factors that are associated with psychological resilience among abused women, using data collected in a household survey conducted in Gauteng province of South Africa. Methods: Data is from a cross-sectional study. A multi-stage random sampling approach was used to select a sample of 501 women. The World Health Organization (WHO) Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence Questionnaire was used to measure lifetime experience of physical and sexual IPV. Only 189 women who had experienced lifetime IPV were included in this secondary analysis. Resilience was measured as scoring below the threshold for the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Other explanatory factors measured included child sexual abuse, non-partner rape, other traumatic life events, social support indicators, binge drinking and socio-demographic variables. Multivariable regression analysis was used to test factors associated with resilience. Results: Forty two percent of women scored below the threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depressive symptoms at the time of the survey and so were categorized as resilient. Social support indicators were associated with increased resilience. Women who perceived that their communities were supportive and they would easily find money in an emergency were more likely to be resilient. Women who binge drank, experienced severe IPV in the past 12 months, received negative reactions to disclosure and utilized medical or psychosocial services were less likely to be resilient. Conclusion: Social support indicators including social connectedness, stronger network ties and perceived supportive communities are key factors in fostering resilience among abused women. Interventions should aim to promote stronger and supportive social networks and increase women’s utilization of formal support services.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social support factors associated with psychological resilience among women survivors of intimate partner violence in Gauteng, South Africa

Machisa

Christofides

Jewkes

2018

Global Health Action

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“…In Johannesburg, 20% of FSWs reported experiencing sexual violence, while 54% reported any physical violence in the past year [1,6]. Globally, violence is associated with inconsistent condom usage, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV acquisition, undermining economic capital, and it has a widespread social impact [7–11]. The resulting mental health complications, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, often undermine individuals’ effective functioning [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Globally, violence is associated with inconsistent condom usage, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV acquisition, undermining economic capital, and it has a widespread social impact [7–11]. The resulting mental health complications, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, often undermine individuals’ effective functioning [11,12]. This may result in substance abuse or a lack of adherence to chronic medications such as antiretroviral therapy (ART) [13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The risk of IPV increases through witnessing violence against a mother [36], and experiencing sexual violence in childhood [11]. A 2013 study found a three-fold increase in gender-based violence among women who had experienced childhood violence [35].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experiences of violence in childhood, normalize dysfunctional behaviors, and distort expectations of power. The trauma also affects the physiology of the brain, impacting upon emotional stability and relationship formation in adulthood, and promoting vulnerability to violence [11]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Prevalence and patterns of victimization and polyvictimization among female sex workers in Soweto, a South African township: a cross-sectional, respondent-driven sampling study

Coetzee

Gray

Jewkes

2017

Global Health Action

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Background: Female sex workers (FSWs) are disproportionately affected by violence from multiple partner categories. This increases their vulnerability to HIV. Objectives: To describe patterns of violence and polyvictimization among female SWs in Soweto. Methods: A respondent-driven sampling (RDS) recruitment methodology was used to enrol 508 Soweto-based FSWs using a survey instrument. Raw and RDS adjusted data were descriptively analysed, Spearman’s correlation and chi2 test of association were used to show associations. Polyvictimization patterns are shown within a modified Venn diagram. Results: The median age of FSWs in Soweto was 31 years, and most had an incomplete education (74.2%). The prevalence of exposure to physical/sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past year was 53.8%, 46.8% by clients, and 18.5% by police. Past year prevalence of sexual/physical violence by any perpetrator category was 70.8% and lifetime exposure was 76.0%. Childhood sexual violence was reported by 44.3%. Lifetime non-partner rape was 55.5% and all rape exposure was 62.4%. As a result of engaging in sex work in the past year, 65.2% women had been discriminated against. Client, police, IPV, and childhood trauma were all significantly associated with one another, with IPV being the most common co-occurrence. Polyvictimization was seen in almost two-thirds of FSWs, and increased with exposure to discrimination. Conclusion: In Soweto, FSWs are exposed to high rates of violence in multiple forms across their lifetime. Our findings show that violence continues unabated into adulthood at levels far higher than in the general population and overall at higher levels than previously recorded among SWs in South Africa. We argue that violence against FSWs is rooted in discrimination. The disparate burden of violence on FSWs requires urgent interventions to proactively address and reframe the normalisation of violence against all women.

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Homicide in South Africa

Lindegaard¹

2017

The Handbook of Homicide

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Violence and injuries in South Africa: prioritising an agenda for prevention

Cited by 531 publications

References 40 publications

Social support factors associated with psychological resilience among women survivors of intimate partner violence in Gauteng, South Africa

Social support factors associated with psychological resilience among women survivors of intimate partner violence in Gauteng, South Africa

Prevalence and patterns of victimization and polyvictimization among female sex workers in Soweto, a South African township: a cross-sectional, respondent-driven sampling study

Homicide in South Africa

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