This is a professional support process that helps survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), going through physical, sexual, emotional, or economic abuse, to heal, regain safety, and rebuild their lives. It is about healing, protection, empowerment, and restoration of dignity for survivors of violence. It involves:

• Providing a safe and confidential space for survivors to share their experiences without fear of judgment or further harm.
• Offering emotional support to reduce trauma, stress, fear, shame, or guilt caused by the violence.
• Helping survivors develop coping strategies to manage trauma and emotional distress.
• Creating safety plans to protect survivors from further violence and guide them toward safe living conditions.
• Empowering survivors by helping them regain self-confidence, independence, and control over their lives.
• Referrals and linkages to legal aid, medical services, shelters, or community support where needed.
• Education and awareness about rights, healthy relationships, and resources available to prevent further abuse.

GBV is any harmful act that is directed at an individual based on their gender, sex, or socially assigned roles. GBV is violence that arises because of gender inequality, abuse of power, and harmful social norms. It is rooted in unequal power relations between men and women, and it affects people differently, though women and girls are most at risk.

• Physical violence - hitting, beating, burning, or any physical harm.
• Sexual violence - rape, sexual assault, harassment, or exploitation.
• Emotional/Psychological violence - insults, humiliation, threats, controlling behaviour, intimidation.
• Economic violence - denying someone financial resources, education, or the right to work.
• Cultural/Structural violence - harmful traditional practices like forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), or discrimination in laws and policies.

Causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) are often linked to deep-rooted inequalities, cultural beliefs, and power imbalances. It usually does not happen by accident; it is driven by certain conditions in society. GBV is caused by unequal power, harmful norms, and systems that allow violence to continue.  The main causes include:

• Gender inequality - when one gender (often women) is viewed as less valuable than the other.
• Power imbalance - when people misuse power and control over others (e.g., men controlling women).
• Harmful cultural practices - traditions like forced marriage, wife inheritance, or female genital mutilation (FGM).
• Patriarchal norms - beliefs that men should dominate and women should obey.
• Economic dependence - when survivors depend on abusers financially, making it hard to leave abusive situations.
• Low awareness of rights - survivors may not know their rights or fear seeking help.
• Impunity and weak laws - when perpetrators are not punished, violence continues.
• Stress and social factors - poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, or conflict situations can increase GBV.

The effects of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on the Survivor can be physical, emotional, social, and economic. GBV deeply affects a survivor’s body, mind, relationships, and ability to live independently. Healing often requires medical, psychological, legal, and social support. Survivors may experience short-term and long-term impacts that affect nearly every part of their lives.

 Physical Effects

• Injuries (bruises, burns, fractures, disability).
• Sexual and reproductive health problems (STIs, HIV, unwanted pregnancies, complications during childbirth).
• Chronic health issues (headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems).

 Emotional/Psychological Effects

• Trauma, fear, and anxiety.
• Depression and hopelessness.
• Low self-esteem and loss of confidence.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)- nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance.
• Suicidal thoughts or self-harm.

Social Effects

• Isolation from family, friends, or community due to stigma or shame.
• Strained family and intimate relationships.
• Loss of trust in others or in society.

Economic Effects

• Loss of income or employment due to injuries or trauma.
• Economic dependence on the abuser.
• Poverty or homelessness if forced to leave home.

The survivor is not to blame for the violence. The responsibility lies only with the perpetrator. In case of an incidence of GBV, follow the following steps to seek help.

Ensure Safety First

• Move to a safe place away from the abuser (trusted friend, relative, or safe house).
• Call a helpline, shelter, or local support service if available.

Seek Medical Help Immediately

• Go to the nearest hospital or health facility for treatment.
• If it’s sexual violence, get medical care within 72 hours to prevent STIs, HIV, or unwanted pregnancy.
• Request a medical examination and documentation of injuries (important for evidence).

Preserve Evidence (in cases of sexual assault or physical abuse)

• Do not bathe, change clothes, or wash until after medical examination.
• Keep any damaged clothes or objects as evidence.

Report the Incident

• Report to the police, local authorities, or trusted community leaders.
• Ask for a copy of the police report or medical report.

Seek Emotional Support

• Talk to a counsellor, therapist, or support group.
• Reach out to trusted friends or family for emotional care.

Know Your Rights & Get Legal Help

• Seek legal aid to press charges, apply for protection orders, or get justice.
• Use GBV hotlines, women’s rights organizations, or government services that provide free legal support.

Long-Term Recovery

• Attend counselling sessions to heal from trauma.
• Join empowerment programs (education, skills training, economic support).

When someone experiences GBV, the effects can be overwhelming, physically, emotionally, socially, and even economically. GBV management counselling is important because it helps survivors heal emotionally, stay safe, access justice, and regain control over their lives. It plays a vital role in helping survivors heal and rebuild their lives. The following are some of the key reasons for the GBV survivor to seek therapy:

Emotional Healing & Trauma Recovery

• Provides a safe and confidential space to talk about the experience.
• Helps reduce trauma, fear, anxiety, depression, and shame.
• Supports recovery from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Restoring Self-Worth & Confidence

• Survivors regain dignity and self-esteem.
• Counselling reassures them that the violence was not their fault.

Safety & Protection

• Counsellors guide survivors in creating safety plans.
• Helps link survivors to shelters, protection services, and safe spaces.

Medical & Legal Support

• Provides referrals for medical care, HIV/STI prevention, and reproductive health support.
• Offers guidance on legal rights, reporting, and accessing justice.

Empowerment & Independence

• Equips survivors with coping strategies to rebuild their lives.
• Encourages financial and social independence, reducing vulnerability.

Breaking Silence & Isolation

• Helps survivors overcome stigma, shame, or fear of speaking out.
• Encourages reconnection with supportive family, friends, or peer groups.

Prevention of Further Abuse

• Survivors learn how to recognize early signs of abuse.
• Counselling empowers them to make safer choices and seek protection.

A therapist plays a central role in supporting survivors of GBV. The therapist’s role in GBV management counselling is to heal, protect, empower, and restore dignity, while ensuring survivors have access to the medical, legal, and social support they need. Their work goes beyond listening; they help survivors heal, rebuild their lives, and regain control. The roles of the Therapist include:

Providing a Safe and Confidential Space

• Creates a non-judgmental, supportive environment for survivors to share their experiences.
• Builds trust, ensuring survivors feel heard and believed.

Emotional Support and Trauma Healing

• Helps survivors process feelings of fear, shame, anger, or guilt.
• Provides therapy for trauma, depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
• Teaches coping strategies for flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional triggers.

Empowerment and Rebuilding Self-Worth

• Reassures survivors that the abuse was not their fault.
• Guides them to regain self-confidence and personal dignity.
• Encourages independence and decision-making.

Safety Planning

• Helps survivors identify risks and create plans to stay safe.
• Connects survivors to shelters, safe houses, or community resources.

Referral and Linkage Services

• Refers survivors to medical care for injuries, HIV/STI prevention, or reproductive health support.
• Links them with legal aid, police services, or social support programs.

Advocacy and Rights Awareness

• Educates survivors about their rights and available protections.
• Provide emotional support during police reports, court processes, or community interventions.

Family and Community Reintegration

• Supports survivors in rebuilding healthy relationships with family or trusted community members.
• Works to reduce stigma and isolation by fostering acceptance and support.

Long-Term Recovery and Prevention

• Helps survivors develop resilience and long-term coping strategies.
• Encourages participation in empowerment programs (education, skills training, financial support).
• Raises awareness on GBV prevention within the community.

Provides versatile counselling to our clients within the county and in the Global space at the Online/Virtual Center, which is open from 6.00 AM to Midnight every day of the week. This dynamic center allows our Global clients to equally access therapy services from their country of residence, and for the other clients that treasure privacy to equally access therapy on or out of camera. However, for those around Nairobi, the Capital City of Kenya, we have a Physical Office for you in Nairobi, Upper Hill- Kenya Medical Association (KAM) Center. The Physical Center is open from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM to accommodate those of you who are working.

The cost for virtual and physical therapy is the same, and our client can interchange the model without any penalty. The therapy session can be One-on-One, Joint/Couple, or Group therapy. We are a prepaid honest center, and once payment is made, it is reserved for a therapy session. It does not matter how long the client takes to be available; you cannot lose your money while in our system. Please take time and read our terms and conditions, to understand important parameters like session cancellation is done within 24 hours, and once payment is made for a therapy session, it cannot be refunded, but should be used for a therapy session only.

We have professional counsellors trained and licensed to provide all forms of therapy, but with expertise in stress management therapy. With their support, you will learn your triggers to stress, ways of managing the stress, and skills to manage frustration and coping mechanisms. Your therapist will provide a safe space to catharsis (vent out); help you to develop coping strategies, reshape your thinking patterns, improve your relationship, performance and address the issue at hand better. Book a therapy session and find a mental wellness support and personal therapist to walk and guide you to manage that stress, which is interfering with your life. Do not share your story in the wrong places and with the wrong people; they do not care about you. Come and Share with a Counsellor at our Center, At Share We Care. Come and Share with a Counsellor at our Center, At Share We Care.

You can use Call, SMS, or WhatsApp, using any of the two official lines provided below at the contact us. In case you miss us using one medium, especially the call, use SMS or WhatsApp Chat, and we will promptly respond. You can access our services through our official email, and the administrator will escalate your request to the client manager for action.