“It’s not you that needs to change, it’s the system that needs to change” – The narratives of South African women professionals working with Gender-Based Violence

Researcher: Roxanne Ramlucken obtained a Master’s degree with distinction in Research Psychology from the University of the Witwatersrand. Her work focuses on gender-based violence (GBV), with interest in the experiences of both survivors and women working in the GBV field. Her interest in this area is informed by both personal experiences and her volunteer work at a registered non-governmental organisation, The Advice Desk for the Abused, in Durban.

June, 2023

What Is The Study About & Why Does It Matter?

Professional South African women who encounter gender-based violence in their field have important and potentially transformational experiences to share on addressing this issue. These professionals have experience and in-depth knowledge of the realities of working with gender-based violence. They can use their expertise to conceptualise and explain this phenomenon. They understand how gender-based violence is presented in society and their recommendations are informed by pragmatic reasoning. This study utilised a qualitative research method to obtain the narratives of these women that work in psychology, community health work, social work, legal work and journalism. The use of multiple professions accounts for the complex and multidimensional elements that contribute to the levels of gender-based violence in South Africa.

Outcomes: Key Mental Health Findings

Note: While the study yielded a range of findings, this section highlights those most relevant to mental health, in alignment with the health and wellness focus of the website. 

What We Know...

Emotional abuse is a central and often hidden aspect of intimate partner violence, involving manipulation, coercion, and controlling behaviours that harm a victim’s mental well-being. It can include monitoring and restricting movement, verbal degradation, and financial control, all of which reinforce the perpetrator’s power. Abuse frequently follows a cyclical pattern of tension, explosion, remorse, and a honeymoon phase, where periods of violence are followed by apologies and seemingly changed behaviour. This cycle can make it difficult for victims to leave, as hope is rekindled during the remorse phase, while harmful messages during abusive periods undermine self-worth and foster emotional dependence. Victims may also struggle to fully recognise the abuse due to psychological coping mechanisms, such as minimising or distancing themselves from harmful experiences, and focusing on the abuser’s positive traits. As a result, individuals can feel both love and fear toward their partner, making the relationship deeply complex.

Recognising abuse is often a gradual process, as it does not always begin with physical violence and can be mistaken for less severe behaviour. Awareness and education are therefore crucial in helping individuals identify abusive patterns and understand that such behaviour is unacceptable. Support from professionals plays an important role in this process, particularly when it is offered in a respectful, non-judgemental manner that prioritises the individual’s autonomy and readiness to acknowledge their situation. Many victims face both societal and internalised stigma, which can lead to self-blame and hesitation to identify themselves as being abused. Consequently, coming to terms with abuse involves navigating a range of complex emotions, and requires time, understanding, and supportive guidance to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their circumstances.

What We Discovered...

After recognising abuse, moving forward often begins with a critical turning point in which the individual becomes fully aware of the danger they are in and the need to prioritise their own safety. This moment can prompt the decision to leave, marking the beginning of a breaking-free stage where survivors draw on their inner strength and available knowledge to disengage from the abusive relationship. This process is rarely linear, but instead unfolds as a complex, iterative journey that includes leaving, resisting return, and working toward long-term recovery. Acknowledging the abuse also involves confronting suppressed emotions and recognising the harm endured, which can be both painful and necessary for healing. Speaking out and sharing one’s story plays a powerful role in this stage, offering validation, emotional release, and a sense of being heard and supported.

Support systems are crucial in helping survivors rebuild their lives, whether through community awareness, professional guidance, or safe spaces that encourage empowerment and self-worth. Those with lived experience of abuse may offer particularly empathetic support, helping others to see that a life free from abuse is possible despite the challenges involved. However, pathways forward are deeply shaped by individual circumstances and broader structural realities. Framing change as solely the responsibility of the individual overlooks the impact of structural and institutional oppression, as well as the socio-cultural and historical contexts that constrain choices and opportunities. Survivors often face significant barriers when attempting to leave abusive situations or seek justice, including limited resources, systemic shortcomings, and unequal access to support. As a result, interventions must be flexible, context-sensitive, and tailored to each person’s needs, taking into account factors such as safety, financial stability, access to healthcare, cultural considerations, and available support networks. Moving forward therefore involves not only individual agency, but also the recognition of these broader challenges, requiring supportive, realistic, and multifaceted approaches to recovery and long-term well-being.

The Future Of Care & Intervention...

Addressing gender-based violence requires accessible, compassionate, and context-sensitive support systems that respond to the realities survivors face. While speaking out and seeking help can be transformative, many individuals continue to encounter structural barriers such as limited resources, fragmented services, and gaps between policy and implementation. Greater emphasis is needed on identification of warning signs and abuse, improved awareness, and coordinated support across sectors. Ultimately, meaningful change depends not only on individual empowerment, but also on sustained systemic and community-level action to ensure safer, more responsive environments for those affected. While this discussion has been largely victim-focused in terms of what survivors can do, proactive intervention must also be societal, targeting perpetrators of abuse and the systems that enable or protect them. Abuse does not occur in isolation, and understanding its dynamics is essential not only for those experiencing it, but also for anyone supporting someone affected or recognising it within their community.