Violence against Women and its Mental Health Consequences in Namibia

The aim of this study is to explore or elicit the experiences of battered women, their mental health consequences and their attempts to deal with their battering in Namibia. The sample consisted of 60 battered women who were seen at the Woman and Protection Units. Results indicate that women had experienced financial abuse (81.7%), emotional abuse (60%), physical abuse (53.3%), and sexual abuse (26.6%). Three quarters of the women reported various forms of relationship disability and psychological dysfunction, half reported life restrictions and impairment of their health status, and a few abused alcohol, drugs or smoked excessively. As a last resort all respondents approached the Women and Child Protection Unit for help, many kept quiet or went to a priest, a quarter went to legal ities and only a few to neighbours or psychosocial professionals (social workers). Results are discussed in terms of violence characteristics and contributing factors as well as psychosocial impact of women battering. (Gender & Behaviour: 2003 1: 16-33