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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Antisocial acts that place the actor at risk of becoming a focus of the attention of criminal and/or juvenile justice
professionals (Andrews and Bonta, 1998).
Approaches that recognize and challenge unequal power relations between service providers and survivors by building equitable, two-way relationships characterized by respect, shared responsibility, and cultural exchange. Survivors must have their culture, values, and preferences taken into account in the provision of services
Conserving, raising up and serving the child’s needs until he/she is not needing others for feeding. It’s normally
the woman’s right, if the religious conditions are met, up to a specific age. This age differs according to different
religious sects, but then the right for custody goes back to the man.
Cyberstalking is repeated online behaviour that harasses, monitors, threatens, or scares someone. It can involve constant messaging, tracking location, hacking accounts, impersonation, or sharing private information without consent. Cyberstalking is often linked to intimate partner violence and can escalate into offline stalking or physical harm.
Examples: A person using your passwords to read your messages, tracking you through “Find My iPhone,” creating fake accounts to watch you, or repeatedly threatening you via WhatsApp or Instagram.
The cycle of violence looks at the repetitive nature of perpetrator’s actions that hinder a victim’s ability to leave an abusive relationship. The cycle of violence theory provides an insight into this by illustrating how the behaviour of a perpetrator can change very dramatically, making it difficult for the woman to leave. Women who have experienced violence may recognise this cycle. The cycle of violence theory was developed in 1979 by Dr Lenore Walker. It describes the phases an abusive relationship moves through in the lead up to a violent event and its follow-up.
Date rape (acquaintance rape) is sexual violence committed by someone the survivor knows, such as a friend, date, partner, or peer. It may involve pressure, threats, force, or taking advantage of someone who is intoxicated or unable to consent.
Many survivors struggle to label it because the perpetrator was known or trusted, but rape is still rape when consent is absent.
Date rape drugs are substances used to make a person unable to consent or defend themselves. They are often slipped into drinks or food without the person knowing and can cause confusion, memory loss, dizziness, or unconsciousness. Alcohol is also commonly used in this way.
Examples: Someone offers you a drink, you suddenly feel extremely tired or disoriented, and you can’t remember what happened later, this can be a red flag.
Drugs that have been used in date rapes include flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). These drugs inhibit a person's ability to resist sexual assault.
“Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is a central nervous system depressant. It is similar to diazepam (such as Valium) but about 10 times more potent. It is commonly called roofies. It is a tasteless, odorless tablet that can be crushed and dissolved in liquid. It has been used in date rapes, because it can be slipped into a person's drink without it being detected. One small tablet can produce effects for 8 to 12 hours.”
“Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a central nervous system depressant. GHB is a clear, odourless liquid that looks like water and so can be added to a beverage without the person knowing it. It may also be used in the form of a white powder. GHB is also known as liquid ecstasy, G, or soap
Dating abuse is domestic violence within a dating relationship. It often starts small and escalates over time, and it can happen in teen relationships and adult relationships.
Dating abuse is about control, not love. It may include emotional abuse, sexual pressure, physical violence, isolating someone from friends, extreme jealousy, financial control, or monitoring a partner’s phone and location.
Example: A partner demands your password, checks your phone, controls what you wear, and threatens you if you leave – this is abuse.
A pattern of violent and coercive behavior used by one partner to control another; this violence takes multiple
forms, including physical, emotional, sexual financial abuse (Rennison, et al., 2003).
Debriefing is a structured conversation after a distressing event to process what happened, reflect, and identify support needs. Debriefing is common after trauma exposure (for survivors, families, first responders, and support teams).
In GBV contexts, debriefing should never pressure someone to share details before they are ready. It should be trauma-informed, supportive, and focused on safety and well-being.
Means to provide a summary on the situation. The expression is often used in therapy sessions or dialogue
when dealing with cases of violence where there is an expression or disclosure of feelings and impact of the
shock, or the violence in this case, on their psychology. However, it can also be used after discussion sessions
to summarize what was discussed in that session.
Defamation involves making false statements about an individual that harm their reputation, exposing them to hatred, contempt, or ridicule.
A common mental disorder that presents with loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration (WHO, 2010). This is different from frustration
which is a hypothetical state that happens when a human being can’t pursue his/her expected outcome.
Developmental Trauma is a term used in the literature to describe childhood trauma such as chronic abuse, neglect or other harsh adversity in their own homes. When a child is exposed to overwhelming stress and their caregiver does not help reduce this stress, or is the cause of the stress, the child experiences developmental trauma.
Developmental traumas are also called Adverse Childhood Experiences. These are chronic family traumas such as having a parent with mental illness or substance abuse, losing a parent due to divorce, abandonment or incarceration, witnessing domestic violence, not feeling loved or that the family is close, or not having enough food or clean clothing, as well as direct verbal, physical or sexual abuse. The impact of these traumas has been researched extensively
Disability is imposed by society when a person with a physical, psychosocial, intellectual, neurological and/or sensory impairment is denied access to full participation in all aspects of life, and when society fails to uphold the rights and specific needs of individuals with impairments.
: a section 174 application is brought once the state’s case has closed and before the defence
has begun. The defence will argue that there is no need to continue as the state has failed to make a prima facie case
that needs to be defended.
Discrimination is behaviour that results from prejudiced attitudes by individuals or institutions, resulting in unequal outcomes for persons who are perceived as different. It is the unfair treatment due to a “Prohibited Ground” under the Human Rights Code, which includes race, sex, sexual orientation, gender orientation and gender expression, same sex partner status, colour, ancestry, place of origin, ethnic origin, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, family status, or religion.
Discrimination includes, but is not restricted to, the denial of equal treatment, civil liberties and opportunities to individuals or groups with respect to education, accommodation, health care, employment and access to services, goods and facilities
Distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing the
recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men
and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any
other field (UN-CEDAW, 2009).
- Actions taken to exclude or treat others differently because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation
and/or disability (Rychetnik & Todd, 2004).