Short definitions for terms used in our research pages and knowledge base. Each entry names the source so you can verify wording in the original material.
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The exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sex, including
sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative
behaviour. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to
beneficiaries of assistance.
: things that are avoided, not spoken about
or not allowed, because of social customs
Technology-assisted violence refers to abuse carried out through digital tools such as phones, social media, messaging apps, email, tracking devices, or hidden surveillance software.
It can include harassment, cyberstalking, sextortion, doxxing, impersonation, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, or using GPS and spyware to monitor someone’s location.
Digital abuse can be just as harmful as physical abuse. It can create constant fear, anxiety, and isolation, especially because it may continue even after a relationship has ended. Technology-assisted violence often overlaps with intimate partner violence and stalking.
Range of behaviours that use technology to facilitate virtual and/or in-person harm. The intent of technology-facilitated violence is to threaten, harass, bully, embarrass, assault, extort, coerce, torment or socially exclude another person by using technology.
an abortion
to bear witness and give the court verbal
evidence of a crime
The right to maintain the marital status, which can end by the verbalization of the specific word (divorce), and
spoken by the person who has the right to divorce.
- This is usually the right of men and can be agreed upon during the marriage contract, when the muslim husband
can grant his wife the right to divorce herself if she wishes so. The divorce then would be non revocable.
Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) are specialised one-stop facilities across South Africa that support survivors of rape and sexual assault. They aim to reduce further trauma by providing medical, forensic, and emotional support in one safe space.
At a TCC, survivors can receive medical treatment, including preventative care for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Trained forensic professionals can collect medical evidence (often called a rape kit) if the survivor chooses to open a criminal case.
TCCs also provide emotional support, information about legal rights and options, and referrals for ongoing counselling and support services. Staff can assist with reporting to SAPS if the survivor decides to do so. Accessing a TCC does not require you to lay a charge; the decision always remains with the survivor.
A list of Thuthuzela Care Centres is available on our WFC SupportLine. Select “Crisis Referrals” and then choose “Thuthuzela Care Centres” to view all provinces and access each centre’s contact details and address.
Transgender is the state of one's gender identity not matching one's "assigned sex" based on physical/genetic
sex, meaning that their gender presentation does not conform to conventional notions of male or female gender
roles. "Transgender" does not imply any specific form of sexual orientation; and may identify as heterosexual,
homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, or asexual (Layton, 1996).
Term used to define people who have a gender identity or gender expression that differs from their sex assigned at birth.
Transmisogyny is an intersection of two forms of oppression that transgender women are subjected to: transphobia and misogyny. Because conventional patriarchal culture views women as inherently inferior to men (misogyny), transwomen are also perceived as inferior by virtue of being feminine and pursuing a female social role in society. They tend to be subjected to many dangers and forms of discrimination not only because of misogyny, but also because of transphobia and cissexism.
Unfortunately, transmisogyny has many deadly consequences, including high rates of rape, assault, and murder of transgender women. Trans* women may also feel pressured to conform to problematic gender stereotypes, such as wearing high heels or being "domestic," as a way of proving and validating their identity, and they may be subject to both transphobic and misogynistic discrimination in the workplace.
The term transmisogyny first appeared in print in 2007, when transfeminist activist Julia Serano used the word in her book The Whipping Girl, which explores many levels of discrimination and oppression including transmisogyny
Fear and/or hatred of any transgression of perceived gender norms. It is often exhibited by name-calling, bullying, exclusion, prejudice, discrimination or acts of violence. Anyone who is trans and/or gender diverse or perceived to be can be the target of transphobia
Transphobia is the fear, hatred, disbelief, or mistrust of people who are transgender, thought to be transgender, or whose gender expression does not conform to traditional gender roles, that is, the behaviours, values, and attitudes that a society considers appropriate for either male or female.
Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event. Experiencing a traumatic event can harm a person’s sense of safety, sense of shelf, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. A traumatic event can be: a recent single traumatic event (e.g. car crash, violent assault), a single traumatic event that occurred in the past (e.g. a sexual assault, the death of a spouse or child), an accident living through a natural disaster or war, a long-term chronic pattern (e.g. ongoing childhood neglect, sexual or physical abuse).
“Traumatic stress results from traumatic events that are shocking and emotionally overwhelming situations that may involve actual or threaten death, serious injury, or threat to physical integrity.
Expands the concept of trauma-informed care to emphasize the intersecting impacts of systemic and interpersonal violence and structural inequities on a person’s life. This concept acknowledges both historical and ongoing interpersonal violence and their traumatic impacts and helps to emphasize a person’s experiences of past and current violence. This way problems are not seen as residing only in the person’s psychological state but also in social circumstances
Trauma bonding is a strong emotional attachment that develops between a survivor and an abuser through repeated cycles of harm followed by affection, apologies, or “good behaviour.” The pattern of abuse and reward creates emotional confusion and dependency.
After an incident of violence or manipulation, the abuser may apologise, promise change, buy gifts, or behave lovingly. This temporary kindness can create hope and make the survivor feel that “this time it will be different.” Over time, the brain begins to associate relief and affection with the same person causing harm.
Trauma bonding can make leaving an abusive relationship extremely difficult. It is not a sign of weakness; it is a psychological survival response to repeated trauma.
Example: A partner becomes verbally or physically abusive, then cries, apologises, and promises therapy. For a few weeks, everything feels calm and loving — until the cycle starts again.
Trigger is referred to a stimulus which causes a painful memory of a traumatic event to remerge. A trigger can be a sensory reminder of the memory, including but not limited to, a sound, sight, smell, or physical sensation.