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.
Showing 20 of 409 terms in this view.
Page 11 of 21
Urban formal refers to cities, towns, townships and suburbs excluding informal settlements; urban informal or informal and squatter settlements refers to unplanned settlement on land which has not been surveyed or proclaimed as residential; rural informal refers to tribal areas; rural formal refers to farm areas including commercial farms.
Love bombing is a manipulation tactic where someone overwhelms another person with excessive attention, affection, compliments, and promises to gain control. It often feels intense and exciting at first, but the goal is not love; it is dependency.
Love bombing may include constant messaging, expensive gifts, talking about marriage or moving in very early, or saying things like “I’ve never felt this way before” within days or weeks. When a person sets boundaries or asks for space, the love bomber may respond with guilt-tripping, anger, or the withdrawal of affection.
A note on language: The use of the word bombing can be harmful. Follow the lead of survivors in using the terms they feel comfortable with.
Love Bombing’ is a way of exercising control through overwhelming displays of affection, gifts, and praise. It usually begins early in an intimate relationship and/or following an incident of abuse to avoid a breakup and minimize the abuse. Love bombing can be difficult to identify because it can seem romantic and make the person feel happy and loved.
However, Love Bombing differs from romance as it occurs along with controlling behaviours. The person love bombing might push for a serious commitment early on, demand all their partner's attention, require constant communication, and show possessiveness which leaves their partner feeling guilty, uncomfortable, pressured, and smothered
a lotion or gel used to reduce friction
by making something smooth and slippery
Using technology as a tool to manipulate and distribute defamatory and illegal materials related to a person and/or violent organizations. Examples include threatening to or leaking intimate photos/video or using technology as a propaganda tool to promote violence against specific people.
Manipulation involves using emotional or psychological tactics to control another person’s thoughts, behaviour, or decisions. It often makes the victim question themselves or feel responsible for the abuser’s actions.
Manipulation can include gaslighting, guilt-tripping, silent treatment, threats, isolation, or pretending to change after causing harm. It is often subtle and builds over time.
Example: After shouting at you, a partner says, “You made me angry. If you didn’t act like that, I wouldn’t have reacted.” This shifts blame onto you and avoids accountability.
It means, generally speaking, that the woman should obey her husband in whatever is permitted by the Islamic
religious laws (Sharia), but should not be forced to obey him when undoing or dropping the religious obligations,
in doing the forbidden or in donating/disposing her money. The strict meaning of marital compliance is: the
woman’s surrendering to the husband within the way specified to the specific aim of the marriage (most people
agree that this refers to the marital sexual relation). Thus a woman is not considered disobedient (or nashez) if
she did not succumb to the wishes of her husband when these are beyond the aim of the marriage or are
violations of the law or Sharia; for the rule is: there is no obedience to a creature if it’s a disobedience to the
Creator.
- The services which a woman offers to her husband, such as cleaning, cooking, etc. are not considered to be
benefits of the marriage and thus if a woman didn’t do them, she is not considered as disobedient (or nashez).
Marital rape is non-consensual sexual activity within a marriage. In South Africa, marital rape is illegal and recognised under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act (2007).
Marriage does not equal permanent consent. A spouse has the right to refuse sex at any time. Forcing or coercing sex within marriage is rape.
rape of a woman by her husband,
or vice versa (whether married by civil, customary
or religious law)
A contract between a man and a woman whereby they agree on the natural sexual pairing; and so they form a
family for continuity and persistence. This happens in the presence of a religious man, while the procedure
varies according to different communities.
stimulating your own or another
person’s genitals to produce sexual arousal or
orgasm without penetration
A process where two or more parties appoint a third-party neutral (“Mediator”) to help them in a non-binding
dialog to resolve a dispute and/or to conclude the terms of an agreement (Herrberg, A., 2008). The role of the
mediator is to facilitate the communication between the different parties, help them to focus on the real
problems behind the conflict, and generate options that will satisfy the needs and benefits of the parties in
concern.
Misandry refers to prejudice, hostility, or harmful stereotypes directed toward men or boys because of their gender. In the context of sexual violence, misandry can affect how male survivors are perceived and treated when they speak about abuse. Because of harmful gender stereotypes, male survivors may face disbelief, ridicule, or pressure to remain silent. Social expectations that men should be “strong” or cannot be victims of sexual violence can make it harder for them to report abuse or seek support.
Example: A male survivor of sexual assault being told that “men can’t be raped” or being mocked when he tries to report the abuse.
Sexual violence can affect people of all genders, and every survivor deserves to be believed, supported, and treated with dignity.
Misogynoir describes the specific form of sexism and racism directed at Black women. It highlights how race and gender discrimination intersect to create unique forms of harm.
For example, Black women may be stereotyped as “angry,” “aggressive,” or “strong enough to handle abuse,” which can lead to their experiences of violence being minimised or dismissed.
Misogynoir describes the specific form of sexism and racism directed at Black women. It highlights how race and gender discrimination intersect to create unique forms of harm.
For example, Black women may be stereotyped as “angry,” “aggressive,” or “strong enough to handle abuse,” which can lead to their experiences of violence being minimised or dismissed.
a tablet that prevents pregnancy if taken within 72
hours after sexual intercourse
: popular beliefs held by many people,
which are believed to be true, but are actually false
Narcissistic traits may include entitlement, lack of empathy, constant need for admiration, and difficulty accepting criticism.
In abusive relationships, narcissistic behaviour can show up as emotional manipulation, extreme jealousy, control, and refusal to take responsibility. Not all narcissism equals abuse, but in violent relationships, these traits can intensify harm.
Narcissistic traits may include entitlement, lack of empathy, constant need for admiration, and difficulty accepting criticism.
In abusive relationships, narcissistic behaviour can show up as emotional manipulation, extreme jealousy, control, and refusal to take responsibility. Not all narcissism equals abuse, but in violent relationships, these traits can intensify harm.
the Constitution and the National Prosecuting Authority Act provide the Prosecuting
Authority with the power to institute criminal proceedings on behalf of the State and to perform the necessary tasks
in support of this function. This includes supporting the investigation of a case, or discontinuing criminal proceedings
where necessary.
Negging is a form of emotional manipulation where someone gives insults disguised as jokes or compliments to lower a person’s confidence and gain power over them. Negging is designed to make someone seek approval from the person insulting them.
Example: Saying, “You’re actually pretty for someone who doesn’t wear makeup,” or “Most people wouldn’t date you, but I’m not shallow.”
Neglect is the failure to provide basic care, supervision, emotional support, or protection. It can affect children, elderly individuals, or vulnerable adults.
Neglect may include failing to provide food, medical care, safe shelter, emotional attention, or protection from harm. Emotional neglect can be just as damaging as physical neglect.