HRCMY81
Assignment 1 RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 29 May 2026
AN EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE
1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence is one of the most serious social problems affecting South Africa
today. It affects women, children, men, families, and communities across different social and
economic backgrounds. Gender-based violence includes physical abuse, sexual violence,
emotional abuse, economic abuse, intimidation, harassment, and controlling behaviour
directed at individuals because of their gender (Diko, 2023). South Africa continues to
experience high levels of domestic violence, rape, femicide, and sexual offences despite the
existence of laws and government policies aimed at protecting victims and preventing
violence (Republic of South Africa, 2020). Incidents of gender-based violence have created
fear, trauma, poor mental health, family breakdown, and economic difficulties for many
people in the country (Mphatheni, 2024).
Public attitudes and perceptions play an important role in either challenging or normalising
gender-based violence within society (Ike, 2025). Some members of the public strongly
Terms of use
condemn gender-based violence, while others continue toByjustify abusive behaviour because
making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
AN EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE
1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence is one of the most serious social problems affecting South
Africa today. It affects women, children, men, families, and communities across
different social and economic backgrounds. Gender-based violence includes
physical abuse, sexual violence, emotional abuse, economic abuse, intimidation,
harassment, and controlling behaviour directed at individuals because of their
gender (Diko, 2023). South Africa continues to experience high levels of domestic
violence, rape, femicide, and sexual offences despite the existence of laws and
government policies aimed at protecting victims and preventing violence (Republic of
South Africa, 2020). Incidents of gender-based violence have created fear, trauma,
poor mental health, family breakdown, and economic difficulties for many people in
the country (Mphatheni, 2024).
Public attitudes and perceptions play an important role in either challenging or
normalising gender-based violence within society (Ike, 2025). Some members of the
public strongly condemn gender-based violence, while others continue to justify
abusive behaviour because of cultural beliefs, gender stereotypes, or social norms
(Perrin et al., 2019). Understanding public views is important because these
perceptions influence reporting behaviour, support for victims, community responses,
and prevention efforts.
This research proposal explores public views on the impact of gender-based
violence in South Africa. The proposal discusses the definition of key concepts,
reviews existing literature, presents the research problem, outlines the research
objectives, and explains the proposed research methodology, sampling process,
data collection methods, ethical considerations, and data analysis procedures that
will guide the study.
2. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1. Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their
gender, gender identity, or social position within society (Diko, 2023). It includes
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2026
Unique number:
Due Date: 29 May 2026
AN EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE
1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence is one of the most serious social problems affecting South Africa
today. It affects women, children, men, families, and communities across different social and
economic backgrounds. Gender-based violence includes physical abuse, sexual violence,
emotional abuse, economic abuse, intimidation, harassment, and controlling behaviour
directed at individuals because of their gender (Diko, 2023). South Africa continues to
experience high levels of domestic violence, rape, femicide, and sexual offences despite the
existence of laws and government policies aimed at protecting victims and preventing
violence (Republic of South Africa, 2020). Incidents of gender-based violence have created
fear, trauma, poor mental health, family breakdown, and economic difficulties for many
people in the country (Mphatheni, 2024).
Public attitudes and perceptions play an important role in either challenging or normalising
gender-based violence within society (Ike, 2025). Some members of the public strongly
Terms of use
condemn gender-based violence, while others continue toByjustify abusive behaviour because
making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
AN EXPLORATION OF PUBLIC VIEWS ON THE IMPACT OF GENDER-BASED
VIOLENCE
1. INTRODUCTION
Gender-based violence is one of the most serious social problems affecting South
Africa today. It affects women, children, men, families, and communities across
different social and economic backgrounds. Gender-based violence includes
physical abuse, sexual violence, emotional abuse, economic abuse, intimidation,
harassment, and controlling behaviour directed at individuals because of their
gender (Diko, 2023). South Africa continues to experience high levels of domestic
violence, rape, femicide, and sexual offences despite the existence of laws and
government policies aimed at protecting victims and preventing violence (Republic of
South Africa, 2020). Incidents of gender-based violence have created fear, trauma,
poor mental health, family breakdown, and economic difficulties for many people in
the country (Mphatheni, 2024).
Public attitudes and perceptions play an important role in either challenging or
normalising gender-based violence within society (Ike, 2025). Some members of the
public strongly condemn gender-based violence, while others continue to justify
abusive behaviour because of cultural beliefs, gender stereotypes, or social norms
(Perrin et al., 2019). Understanding public views is important because these
perceptions influence reporting behaviour, support for victims, community responses,
and prevention efforts.
This research proposal explores public views on the impact of gender-based
violence in South Africa. The proposal discusses the definition of key concepts,
reviews existing literature, presents the research problem, outlines the research
objectives, and explains the proposed research methodology, sampling process,
data collection methods, ethical considerations, and data analysis procedures that
will guide the study.
2. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1. Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence refers to harmful acts directed at individuals because of their
gender, gender identity, or social position within society (Diko, 2023). It includes
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
