Gender-based violence (GBV) remains one of the most pressing human rights challenges facing communities, with the Epic Foundation urging the public to understand better what it is, why it happens and how awareness can help prevent it.

According to the foundation, GBV extends beyond physical violence and includes a wide range of behaviours used to control, intimidate, exploit or harm another person because of their gender. While women and girls are disproportionately affected, anyone can become a victim.

The organisation said GBV can occur in intimate relationships, families, workplaces, schools, communities and online, stressing that responsibility always lies with the perpetrator and never with the survivor.

“At its core, gender-based violence is often about power and control,” the foundation explained, noting that perpetrators may use violence, threats, intimidation, manipulation or coercion to control another person’s behaviour, finances, relationships or independence.

The foundation highlighted that GBV can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual violence, emotional and psychological abuse, financial abuse, digital abuse, coercive control and stalking.

It also emphasised the importance of understanding consent, saying consent must be given freely and voluntarily and cannot be obtained through force, intimidation, threats or manipulation.

Consent can also be withdrawn at any time.

Addressing why GBV occurs, the foundation pointed to a combination of social, cultural, economic and personal factors.

Gender inequality and harmful social attitudes that normalise abuse continue to fuel violence and discourage survivors from seeking help.

The foundation added that while exposure to violence during childhood may influence future behaviour, it does not determine it, and education, healthy relationships and positive role models can help break cycles of abuse.

Economic hardship, financial dependence, housing insecurity and limited access to support services can also make it more difficult for survivors to leave abusive situations.

However, the foundation stressed that poverty does not cause GBV.

The organisation further noted that a lack of accountability allows abuse to continue, calling on families, communities and institutions to challenge harmful attitudes, support survivors and ensure perpetrators face consequences for their actions.

It also addressed the common question of why survivors do not simply leave abusive relationships, explaining that leaving can be dangerous and complicated because of fears of further violence, financial insecurity, losing children or becoming homeless.

The Epic Foundation believes that increasing public understanding of GBV is a crucial step towards prevention.

The organisation encourages anyone seeking information or support to visit its online information hub or contact the foundation at 082 940 6230 or via info@epicfoundation.org.za

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