Mental health and gender-based violence: supporting women survivors
Gender-based violence has a profound impact on women’s mental health, often leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 1 in 3 women globally have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence, most of which perpetrated by an intimate partner. Intimate partner violence or domestic violence, the most common form of gender-based violence affects around 641 million women globally making it a major public health problem. Almost one third of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) of some kind (psychological, physical and/or sexual) at least once in their life . But, there are many other forms of violence against women beyond IPV, sexual violence, physical violence by relatives, employers, or other individuals, femicides, cyber violence, trafficking, female genital mutilation, and child marriage. Addressing this issue requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines psychological support, access to mental health resources, and policies that promote protection and recovery for survivors.1,2
Mental Health Outcomes of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence (GVB) has an enormous impact on women’s short- and long-term physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health problems for women. It dramatically impacts their mental health, increasing risks of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems like PTSD, eating disorders, sleep, substance abuse and even suicide attempts. Self-esteem is eroded, and women can become very isolated, even affecting other relationships in their lives. Furthermore, it can also have long term consequences on women’s physical health such as increasing the risk of developing diabetes, engaging in risk-taking behaviors and developing chronic diseases and pain among others3. The relationship between IPV and mental health is complex; the effects are wide ranging and can vary, therefore in order to better understand the profound impact of gender-based violence on the mental health of women, please watch the following video infographic.
Barriers to Mental Health Support
The stigma that is associated with gender-based violence can stop women seeking mental health support as well as reporting incidents and accessing practical support, alongside reasons such as poverty, race, immigration. Due to these factors many women have limited access to mental health services, making it of pivotal importance that health care services have a trauma-informed approach, meaning they are focused on identifying clients living with domestic violence and establish a support package tailored to the individual’s needs. This way, through effective intervention, women can receive the help and support they need.
Supporting Recovery and Well-being
To reduce the impact on survivors’ mental health, critical support needs to be readily available. This includes access to therapy in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and group therapy sessions with trained professionals, an essential tool that health services can provide survivors of gender-based violence to treat mental health concerns as well as to prevent future problems. Access to affordable housing, child-care services and decent legal representation are also paramount in allowing survivors the space for safe recovery and future prevention. All mental health professionals should have a good understanding of the gendered nature and dynamics of IPV and the effects of IPV on mental health.4-5 Organizations and global initiatives are paramount in raising awareness and reducing stigma, that is why at Angelini Pharma we are focused on promoting gender-equality and promoting cultural change.
Gender-based violence has a profound effect on women’s mental health. It is of paramount importance that we initiate a collective approach to protecting survivors' mental health, by raising awareness, providing the right resources and effective training of healthcare professionals.
Echoes of Harm: Angelini Pharma’s Commitment to Mental Health and Gender-Based Violence
In line with its strategic focus on mental health, Angelini Pharma has launched Echoes of Harm, a powerful podcast dedicated to exploring the impact of gender-based violence on mental health. Through survivor stories and expert insights, this initiative raises awareness of the long-term mental health consequences faced by women and reinforces the need for a trauma-informed approach to care.
The four-episode series, produced in collaboration with Chora Media, features contributions from healthcare professionals who provide data on the effects of violence on both physical and mental well-being. Journalist Marisa Bate, known for her work on women's issues, hosts discussions, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
Launched on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Echoes of Harm aims to amplify the conversation on gender-based violence through European media and digital platforms, raising public awareness and advocating for stronger support systems for women survivors.
🎧 Listen to Echoes of Harm now!
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcast, YouTube Music and Amazon Music.
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-women
- Violence against women: tackling the other pandemic. The Lancet Public Health Editorial Volume 7, Issue 1e1January 2022
- Anita Stubbs and Cassandra Szoeke, Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 2022, vol. 23(4) 1157–1172
- The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on intimate partner violence and mental health: advancing mental health services, research, and policy. Oram S. et al, The Lancet Psychiatry Vol 9 June 2022.
- https://www.who.int/news/item/06-10-2022-preventing-intimate-partner-violence-improves-mental-health