Gender Based Violence, Mental Health and Spirituality (My Journey) (ePub)

At the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister of Police stated that 87 000 cases of gender-based violence were reported during the first week of the lockdown. However, research suggests that the 87 000 could be the minority of an actual number of cases due to various reasons such as incompetent and unjust handling of GBV cases in the justice system, abuse and harassment of survivors by perpetrators and cultural and socio-economic dynamics.

The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) helpline has reported an increase in the number of calls per day from people diagnosed and those who were not diagnosed with mental health issues before the first lockdown. Experts around the world have concluded that mental health impact is now the second pandemic to come out of Covid-19. It is sad to note that the state of mental health in South Africa has been in crisis long before Covid-19.

Mampho Latedisa Chuma knew this all too well - she has been a victim of gender-based violence, and survived the depression that came as a result of the abuse. For her, the abuse dates back to her childhood. She grew up with a distorted view of men, which exposed her to more abuse and self-destructive decisions as an adult.

This book details her journey, her road to healing and how her dogged faith in the Almighty channelled her spiritual growth and an utterly different outlook on the world around her. The opinion of a possible relationship between GBV Mental health And Spirituality is highlighted in her story. Is there hope for the next generation? Will she manage to turn her life around? This is her story.