“The festive season is also known as a period of happiness, togetherness, rest and celebration.
“Families come together, schools close, some offices close due to holidays and people travel to visit loved ones in other parts of the country.
“While it is a time of happiness, peace, and laughter, it also happens to be a period where cases of GBV rise,” concludes one source.
It is thus important for us to commit to ensuring a violence-free festive season.
Children are also at home because schools are closed during the holiday season.
Adults also get to spend more time with each other. This is normally observed to be positive because of all the great opportunities that come along.
Unfortunately, this time also presents higher risks of being attacked and abused.
There have been reports that indicate most GBV incidents happen in or around the house or from persons known to the victim.
These perpetrators would not be waiting in dark corners that most of us tend to associate with dangers, but it’s the very same people that you meet daily because you trust them.
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Abusers would come in the form of parents, brothers/sisters, relatives, friends from church or next door neighbours and sometimes even from strangers.
LET US BE VIGILANT THIS FESTIVE SEASON
The festive season also requires that one be cautious.
Parents or guardians should be mindful of the whereabouts of their children at any given time and also monitor such individuals to ensure that they spend time with supervised peers.
Children should not be left alone or left to wander aimlessly around environments they might be unfamiliar with.
It also vital that children be educated on issues of personal safety, limits and asserting themselves when they find themselves in questionable situations.
Indeed, silence and fear often cover perpetrators of crimes, while raising aware individuals can be life-saving.
Even adults should also be careful.
Sometimes, it is possible that our social companions during this festive season can end up being hazardous.
Social events such as parties and celebrations appear harmless but can turn tragic should one fail to exercise caution.
Trust should never come before being cautious.
SPEND WISELY FOR FAMILY UPKEEP
We should not underestimate the significance of preserving families during this time.
Families consist of children, spouses and the elderly who require sound judgment and appropriate care.
The festive season comes along with financial gains through savings and cash bonuses to celebrate the time.
These should be well managed to cater to family maintenance and not misused for activities that could result in violence and negative effects.
Emphasis on food and maintenance needs reduces family tension and instabilities.
STAY AWAY FROM ALCOHOL AND DRUGS ABUSE
The holiday season also presents a concern in terms of alcohol and substance abuse.
During festivities, people engage in high volumes of alcohol consumption, while others use substances like narcotics to increase their excitement and relieve stress.
Substances and alcohol abuse are some of the factors that lead to violence.
When people engage in substance and alcohol abuse, they lose control of their senses and emotional control.
Such people can either be victims of abuse or end up being offenders.
Disputes can immediately lead to emotional and physical abuse and even rape.
It is important to recognise that substance and alcohol abuse does not always result in violence.
Violence is a result of taking a chance, and substance and alcohol consumption are catalysts of violence.
Not taking alcohol and staying away from substances can play an important role in halting violence.
THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, IT’S TIME FOR US TO RISE FOR OUR BODIES
Rising for our bodies means having respect for our physical, emotional, and psychological needs and wellbeing as a priority.
It means acknowledging that our bodies are worthy of respect, care and dignity everywhere and under all circumstances.
Do not accept violence in any shape or form: physical, sexual, emotional, and economic violence.
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In any form and guise, violence has no place in our lives and should certainly not be normalised and accepted as a ‘family business,’ ‘discipline’ and ‘expression of love.’
Distance yourself from abusive environments; it takes a great deal of courage and it is a necessity as well.
If any environment, association, or situation makes you feel like you are in danger or your life could be in jeopardy, do not hesitate and get out; it is a sign of strength and a mark of your respect for yourself and for your life, not a sign of defeat and defeatism and a defeatist attitude.
Communities should be supportive and ally with victims, not with abusers; similarly, families should be protective and take care of victims, not abusers.
Report violence; do not be a passive silent onlooker and spectator when you become cognisant that violence is being committed.
Silence is a licence for violence and a threat to many lives.
Encourage victims and survivors to find their voice and turn for help to people and authorities you trust: loved ones, leaders in your community, law enforcement authorities and support and help services as well as centres.
There is a collective responsibility and a collective accountability to end violence.
On this festive occasion, let us have a choice between peace and conflict; responsibility and recklessness and care and harm.
Let our homes remain safe and secure, our celebrations joyous and blissful and our relationships based on mutual respect.
We can make this festive season really memorable and meaningful with a violence-free environment for everyone.
