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 term applies, more commonly, to the woman that leaves her home without her husband's permission and
without a legitimate reason, or can apply to the woman who is in her home but prevents her husband from
having sexual intercourse with her. As such, her right to alimony is dropped.
Dissociation is a coping strategy to manage overwhelming experiences. In the absence of stress, the mind is able to collect all the information around us – sensations, feelings, thoughts, behaviours and identity – and use it to make sense of one’s experience. This means that at any given moment we know who we are, where we are, what we are thinking and feeling, and so on. However, in an overwhelming or unbearable situation, a person may dissociate, or protect herself by disconnecting from aspects of what she is experiencing. This makes the situation momentarily tolerable. When one dissociates, one or more pieces of information are cut off from the self, resulting in a fragmented or confusing sense of oneself or of the experience. When there is chronic traumatization, dissociation may become a well-practiced strategy that can lead to problems in daily life and/or increase one’s vulnerability to additional harm. For example, individuals who dissociate regularly may: feel as though there are large periods of time when they don’t know what happened; find themselves in places without any memory of how they got there; find evidence that they have engaged in some activity – for example, gone shopping – but not have any memory of it; be told they were acting different or strange; have others insist they know them from somewhere, but have no memory of meeting this person.
A partial or complete loss of the normal integration between memories of the past, awareness of identity, and
immediate sensations and control of bodily movements (WHO, 1992)
The termination of the marriage by a judge order because of harm incurred from keeping the marriage: as for
example, husband not paying money, the presence of discords, continuous absence or the presence of a
physical or a mental defect of the man. The basic ground for separation is: remove the harm.
- The separation request is held by the wife wishing to separate from her husband on the basis of a specific and
legitimate reason which the judge refers to in order to rule for separation. This provision results in the sense of
irrevocable divorce meaning that the couple can’t reconsider their divorce without new bride price (mahr) and
contract. This termination is also called divorcing and is only known in Islamic sects.
an SAPS case fi le in which all record of documents and criminal case proceedings are stored.
Domestic violence is abuse within a close relationship, including current or former partners, people living in the same household, and family members. It is not only physical, but domestic violence can also be emotional, sexual, psychological, or financial, and often includes controlling behaviour.
Under the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, domestic violence can include harassment, stalking, threats, property damage, and entering someone’s home without consent. Domestic violence is about power and control, and it often escalates over time.
To better understand your rights, legal options, and steps you can take, visit our Domestic Violence Guides for detailed information and resources.
Action taken to stop domestic violence, lessen its effects on the victims and their families, and hold the abuser accountable.Domestic Violence Interventions are delivered to either victims or perpetrators after the violence has occurred so as to reduce negative impacts and prevent reoccurrence.
Actions taken to prevent the onset or repetition of domestic violence. Prevention includes activities and approaches that promote safe, healthy relationships and behaviors.” [1] “Prevention activities can be delivered to the whole population or to groups without regard to individual risk levels (i.e. universal interventions), or to particular groups that are at heightened risk of using or experiencing violence
A term used with many meanings. The most common usage is with reference to violence by the spouse or
intimate partner. However, the term is also used sometimes to describe violence within the family, that can be
perpetrated against domestic workers and pets, and includes physical, psychological and sexual violence
rather than a single violent event in a household setting (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2005).
Domestic homicide is defined as the killing of a current or former intimate partner, their child(ren), and/or other third parties. An intimate partner can include people who are in a current or former married, common-law, or dating relationship. Other third parties can include new partners, other family members, neighbours, friends, co-workers, helping professionals, bystanders, and others killed as a result of the incident. Domestic homicide is a form of gender-based violence rooted in historical patterns of inequality, exclusion and discrimination.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour used by one person to gain power and control over another with whom… [they have or have] had an intimate relationship. It may include physical violence, sexual, emotional and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse, stalking, and use of electronic devices to harass and control. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, economic status or educational background. The individual engaging in abuse may be a current or former spouse or intimate partner or a family member
Domestic violence takes place between intimate partners (spouses, boyfriend/girlfriend) as well as between family members (e.g. mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law). Domestic violence may include sexual, physical and psychological abuse. Other terms used to refer to domestic violence perpetrated by an intimate partner include “spousal abuse” and “wife battering”.
According to South African law, this includes physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional, verbal and psychological abuse; economic abuse; intimidation; harassment; stalking; entry into the complainant’s residence without their consent; or any other controlling or abusive behaviour taking place in domestic relationships.
The antonym of mahr (bride price): All fixed and transportable, money or benefit, which the wife gives to her
husband from her own funds or from her family. It’s given to the husband for the purpose of investment and not
for his own use. This is only present in non-Islamic marriage and its profits or returns go to the family, and must
be returned to the women after the termination of marriage. Thus, the wife is considered the owner of dowry.
Doxing is a form of technology-facilitated violence and refers to publishing private information (such as address, phone number) or publicly identifying another individual as a form of revenge or punishment.
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) occurs when alcohol or other drugs are used to intentionally sedate or incapacitate a person in order to perpetrate non-consensual sexual assault. In essence, a person utilizes incapacitating substances as a weapon to facilitate the sexual assault. The Criminal Code of Canada (section 273.1) defines consent as a “voluntary agreement of the complainant to engage in the sexual activity in question.” Consent cannot be obtained if the person is incapable of consenting to the activity (i.e., the person is drunk, stoned, unconscious)…There are two types of DFSA:
Proactive – a perpetrator puts a drug into a victim’s drink or gives a victim alcohol until she becomes inebriated and incapacitated
Opportunistic – a perpetrator targets an already intoxicated or incapacitated victim
Includes the unreasonable deprivation of economic or financial resources, which a complainant is entitled to under law or requires out of necessity, and the unreasonable disposal of household effects or other property in which the complainant has an interest.
Elder Abuse is defined as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.” [1]
“Elder abuse often occurs when there is an imbalance of control. The abuser either limits or takes control over the rights and freedoms of the senior. The abuse/violence is used to intimidate, humiliate, coerce, frighten or simply to make the senior feel powerless.
Embodiment practices refer to methods that integrate awareness of bodily sensations to promote holistic well-being, particularly in the context of trauma and gender-based violence (GBV). These practices involve attending to the body's sensory experiences, such as emotional, physical, and sensational feelings, and incorporating this awareness into one’s overall self-conception and behavior.
In trauma-informed care, embodiment practices recognize that trauma is stored in the body and can manifest through physical symptoms such as chronic pain, dissociation, or tension. [2] By focusing on bodily sensations, individuals can process and release trauma, leading to improved mental and physical health. Somatic approaches, which emphasize the mind-body connection, are integral to these practices and are increasingly used in healing-centered work with survivors of GBV.
Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, including rape. The “morning-after pill” should be taken as soon as possible (often within 72 hours) and is available at public health facilities and pharmacies.
Emergency contraception does not prevent HIV or other STIs, so medical care for PEP and STI support may also be needed.