Preventing Gender Based Violence: One Man’s Story of being a CARE GBV Preventer among South Sudanese Refugees

September 19, 2018

Bidali Charles

Bidali Charles is a 30-year-old male from South Sudan. He travelled from Yei, South Sudan in July 2016, escaping war and famine and arrived at Rhino Camp in August 2016 where he was eventually settled, alongside his mother and three sisters, in Ariwa 1. Right now Charles is farming to earn a living and was attending school when he fled.

In May 2017, Charles applied, was shortlisted and selected to be a GBV Preventer in his village as part of an initiative under ECHO Oxfam consortium funded by ECHO (European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid). GBV preventers were trained on the forms of GBV, prevention and causes, effects of GBV on the individual and community, and reporting mechanisms. They were also trained on community sensitization techniques and good communication. Charles is one of 80 Preventers across the 3 settlements of Imvepi, Rhino, and Bidibidi.

Charles believes a GBV Preventer is someone who carries awareness of GBV causes, its' prevention and its' effects into their community. A GBV preventer also provides psycho-social support, and refers cases of GBV to appropriate parties, including medical, counseling, and legal. GBV Preventers have stations in their respective villages and have shifts they work at the station but continue their advocacy at all times. The stations consist of a table and chairs, in addition to GBV awareness materials. Communities are sensitized on these stations, communicating they are a safe place for survivors and perpetrators to come report any violence or abuse happening, in addition to the importance of reporting within 72 hours.

When a survivor comes to make a report, the first thing a GBV Preventer asks is what happened or what the abuse was. They also ask for consent to write down the story, this is used only for case management. Next, the Preventer asks if they would like CARE to help them handle the case. This involves documentation of what happened then the case is referred to a CARE Case Worker who then works alongside the survivor for emotional and physical healing. If the perpetrator is known, especially in a husband/wife situation, they are consulted with and offered couples counseling to mitigate future violence. Preventers are also allowed to make immediate referrals to health facilities and psycho-social counseling depending on the situation.

Charles says the GBV Preventers also conduct sensitization in their community, especially during church services where many people are gathered. Topics of discussion revolve around what GBV is, how it can be prevented, and the effect of GBV on the individual and community.

Charles sensitizing a community member
about GBV and Prevention

Charles says before GBV Preventers started GBV prevention awareness campaigns, incidences of violence were very high in his community. “There was fighting, economic and emotional violence, and sexual violence. The borehole at night was especially bad, with people openly showering, fighting over water, public sex acts, and rape happening.” He said at the beginning he would see 4 or 5 cases being reported each week, now he only sees 1 or 2 cases per week. He said most of the violence that is still occurring is conflict between women, especially arguing over land boundaries. Most of this violence is verbal insults but can sometimes become physical.

While Charles’ community still has instances of GBV and other forms of violence, he believes it has decreased during his time as a Preventer. “People are safer and listening to us when we tell them not to be out after dark. CARE placed solar lights near our boreholes, which has helped lower GBV at that location. My community and I want to thank CARE for helping us prevent and report GBV. Soon it will not be here.”

Story Compiled and Written By: Brandi Murley

CARE West Nile, Uganda