Gender-based violence: sociocultural barriers to men speaking up and seeking help in South Africa.
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Date
2022-03
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Abstract
Gender-based violence (GBV) includes, but is not limited to, physical, sexual,
psychological, and other threats, coercion, economic harm, etc. Because of their
gender placement in society, men are frequently associated with being the
perpetrators.. Therefore, using the term “gender-based” reflects the unequal
power relationships between the genders, which are entrenched in all societies.
It portrays the male gender as being the aggressor and the more powerful,
endowed, and opportune in society. This article examines and speculates on the
notion that men are sometimes the victims of gender-based violence and
women are the perpetrators. Mobilising a secondary data methodology through
a systematic review approach, the article consulted electronic resources such as
EBSCOHOST, JSTOR, and Google Scholar. The articles consulted ranged
from 1996 to 2022, were searched from a global perspective, especially the
West, and finally narrowed down to South Africa. JSTOR and Google Scholar
produced 95% of the search results, though Google Scholar was most
dominant. The key words and phrases used for the search were centred on
foregrounding the problem of male GBV victims and their reluctance to speak
up and seek help. The inclusion criteria focused on males who suffered violence
at the hands of female perpetrators. Male to female violence was excluded. The
study concluded that there is a need for society, especially the police
organisation to recognise violence against men as a social problem that requires
urgent help. It also suggests that counsellors be set up for men in remote places
who are losing their self-confidence and esteem in relationships, family setting,
and society. It also recommended that South African men need to be
encouraged by the media and the Civil Society Organisation to speak up and
seek help so that they can maintain their sociocultural prestige, and manage
social cohesion in the family and society.
Description
Research Articles. Criminology and Forensic Studies.
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Citation
Majola, K.B., Mkhize, S.M. and Udoh, J.A., 2023. Gender-Based Violence: Sociocultural Barriers to Men speaking up and Seeking Help in South Africa. African Journal of Gender, Society & Development, 12(1), p.27.