The implication of wide-spread violence in Namibia
The protracted liberation struggle against South Africa's occupation, as well as the systemic structural violence inherent to the occupation itself, generally, left the Namibian population in states of shock, anger, guilt as well as with a host of other unresolved issues with potential to disrupt peace and independence.
The end of the liberation struggle in Namibia did not automatically result in the attainment of social harmony. Namibian independence and subsequent "peace" are largely based on the assumption that "freedom comes through the barrel of the gun", thus underscoring societal norms that not only tolerate, but even necessitate violence for the attainment of our "social good".
As many psycho-social issues remained unresolved, psychological transformation, working through past traumatic experiences and enabling closure, continues to be neglected. This in turn seems to be a contributing factor in society's de facto acceptance of forms of violence in post-independent Namibia, which include increasing random acts of violence, criminal, intimite partner and gender-based violence, as well as violence against children. While cases of extreme violence being committed against children are particularly shocking there is a tendency to obscure the everyday violence children experience, often in the name of education and/or discipline.
Hitting children for purposes of "education" and discipline is a commonly accepted practice. Yet the widespread use of physical punishment cannot be understood and explained only in terms of it being a cultural norm. Different forms of violence and humiliation which caregivers experienced when they were young are often at the root of their willingness to, in turn, behave violently with the children in their care.
As government can only provide the most basic of mental-health services, the majority of trauma victims - especially in poor communities - are excluded from psychological services which, for many, can be life saving. The lack of services, ultimately, tranlates into the loss of social productivity and increases the conflict potential, whic has become characteristic of conflict situtations elsewhere in Africa.
Increasing violence leads to subsequent trauma potential. The impact of traumatic experiences is not restricted to direct victims but is almost invariably felt by those with whom the victims interact, therefore multiplying the need for psychological, in some cases psychiatric intervention considerably and placing an ever-increasing burden on already under-resourced social- and health-care service providers.
PEACE Centre's core competency is in ensuring that people affected by violence and other traumatic events have better access to professional psychological services and that there is an increased understanding of the impact of trauma and violence in Namibia.
