Page 14 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 33
P. 14
Community
one step at a time, pushing through the Sexual abuse is defined as any form of
discomfort and uncertainty. Embrace the sexual contact that occurs without consent,
process, and trust that with each step you encompassing a range of unwanted
take, you are slowly but surely reclaiming interactions. This can include but is not
your sense of self and healing in your own limited to, actions such as unwanted
way. touching, rape, sodomy, coercing someone
into nudity, and taking sexually explicit
Since our childhood, remember the time photographs without the individual’s consent.
you thought you never could survive? You
did survive and that is why you are reading The impact of such abuse can be profound
this, and you can do it again. During such and damaging, affecting the victim’s physical
difficult moments, you thought life that life and emotional well-being.
had conspired against you. Some of the
experiences we go through as humanity Mental mistreatment, often referred to as
can shatter our hopes and bruise our emotional abuse, involves the intentional
understanding of life. infliction of psychological pain and distress
on an individual. This type of abuse can
These experiences include: manifest in various harmful behaviors, such
as intimidation and coercion, where the
Physical abuse and violence often occur abuser seeks to exert control over the victim.
in families struggling with substance abuse It may also include ridicule and harassment,
issues, where the harmful effects can escalate undermining the victim’s self-esteem and
into intentional acts of bodily injury. This sense of identity. Additionally, treating an
type of abuse can manifest in various violent adult like a child can strip them of their
behaviors, such as slapping or pinching, autonomy and respect. Isolation is another
choking or kicking, and shoving. There tactic employed by abusers, as it cuts off
are also more insidious forms, like the the victim from family, friends, and normal
inappropriate use of drugs to manipulate activities, further entrenching their control.
or control someone, or the use of physical
restraints that limit a person’s freedom. Furthermore, using silence to manipulate
behavior or resorting to yelling and swearing
Recognizing the signs of physical abuse is can create an atmosphere of fear and anxiety,
crucial, as they can vary widely and may leading to significant emotional distress for
include unexplained injuries, frequent the victim. This can lead to separations in
“accidents,” or fearful behaviors in the families that can bruise our wellness.
presence of certain individuals. It is essential
to address these issues to ensure the safety of A sudden separation from a loved one is
those affected. lethal to the mind soul and body. This is a
distressing and unexpected parting from
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