Government strengthens fight against secondary victimisation

Imagine surviving a traumatic event only to face blame, judgment or indifference when seeking help. This is the grim reality for many victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).

Secondary victimisation – where victims are further traumatised by the institutions meant to support them – compounds their pain, making recovery an uphill battle.

Research by the South African Medical Research Council reveals that 55% of GBVF survivors feel re-traumatised by law enforcement or healthcare professionals. Instead of receiving care and empathy, many are met with insensitive questions, dismissive attitudes, or neglect.

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This deepens the scars of their trauma and can lead to anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Gauteng Provincial Government has recognised this issue and is taking steps to combat it. Initiatives such as victim-centred care, specialised support systems and accessible shelters aim to restore dignity to survivors and prevent re-traumatisation.

In his State of the Province Address (SOPA), Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi reaffirmed the province’s resolve to tackle GBVF and secondary victimisation head-on.

“It is for this reason that when we assumed office, we committed to unleashing resources at our disposal to tackle the scourges of crime, corruption, lawlessness, and vandalism.

“This heightened focus on crime meant incorporating the creation of an e-policing network and ICT infrastructure to bolster GBVF, school safety, and visible policing efforts, amongst others,” said Lesufi.

The Gauteng Provincial Government has rolled out several programmes to assist GBV survivors and address secondary victimisation:

• Deployed at all police stations, these trained professionals provide immediate assistance to victims and ensure legal proceedings are conducted with dignity and fairness.

• These centres offer medical, legal, and social support under one roof to reduce the stress of navigating multiple institutions.

• By integrating care, these facilities minimise traumatisation, offering survivors refuge, rehabilitation, and empowerment programmes.

• Safe havens strategically located across Gauteng provide immediate protection for survivors fleeing dangerous situations.

• Specialising in sexual violence cases, these centres offer forensic services, emotional support, and medical care to survivors while streamlining the legal process.

These initiatives demonstrate the provincial government’s commitment to holistically addressing secondary victimisation and supporting survivors.

Recognising the importance of economic independence, the Gauteng Government has also launched targeted skills training programmes for GBVF survivors to equip them with tools to rebuild their lives.

While government programmes provide vital support, recovery from both trauma and secondary victimisation requires time, patience, and community involvement. Survivors are encouraged to:

• Seek out family, friends, or groups that offer unconditional acceptance and understanding.

• Advocate for respectful treatment from professionals. If someone is unhelpful, request alternative support.

• Trauma-informed therapy helps survivors process their experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

• Join support groups or online communities for shared healing experiences.

As a society, we all have a role to play in supporting survivors. Combating secondary victimisation requires compassion, accountability, and a commitment to change.

With robust initiatives, empowered survivors, and a collective effort, we can break the cycle of secondary victimisation and create a society where healing is possible for all.

• By Sasekani Masingi (communications officer in the Gauteng Department of Community Safety

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