Mental Safety: How a Mental Health Crisis is Increasing Vulnerability of Girls to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Zambia has seen a spike the number of cases involving adolescent girls leaving their homes and going to cohabit with older boyfriends. This is coupled with already existing high statistics that show that girls are more prone to sexual abuse. A study from the University of Zambia revealed that over 95% of all those interviewed said the main reason for girl child sexual abuse being so rampant than that of boys was because girls were most vulnerable.

Credit: Our Bodies. Our Choices. Our Futures. photo from Women Deliver event attended by SAFIGI

The reasons for vulnerability include: male-female power relations which required females to submit to males; male adults taking advantage of the trust and respect that children had in them; girls were easily lured into sex through threats and fake promises of nice gifts.

Mental safety refers to the measures and practices in place to protect and promote physiological well-being. It includes creating environments where individuals can express their feelings without fear of judgment, providing access to mental health resources, and fostering supportive communities. Mental safety aims to reduce stigma through encouraging open discussions about mental health to normalize seeking help and reduce the shame associated with mental health issues.

Providing Support means ensuring that individuals, especially girls, have access to affordable mental health professionals, counselling services, and support groups.

Young girls who have inadequate mental health support are particularly at risk for sexual abuse due to several factors:

• Lowered Self-Esteem and Self-Worth: Girls struggling with mental health issues often have diminished self-esteem, making them more susceptible to manipulation and exploitation by predators who prey on their vulnerabilities.

• Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making: Mental health issues can impair a girl's ability to make sound judgments and decisions, increasing the likelihood of finding themselves in unsafe situations.

• Isolation and Lack of Support: Mental health struggles can lead to social isolation, where girls may lack a supportive network of friends and family. This isolation can make them easy targets for abusers who exploit their need for companionship and validation.

• Inability to Recognize Abuse: Mental health issues can cloud a girl's ability to recognize and respond to abusive behaviors, making it difficult for her to seek help or extricate herself from harmful situations.

  
  

To protect young girls from vulnerabilities, it is essential to prioritize mental safety through early intervention, which can prevent the escalation of problems and reduce vulnerability to abuse.

Building strong, supportive communities around girls provides the emotional and social backing needed to resist and report abuse. Educating girls about healthy relationships, self-esteem, and recognizing abusive behaviors empowers them to protect themselves.

Mental safety is the state of being in a healthy and rational state of mind, according to SAFIGIs Holistic Safety Blueprint. This is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, encompassing emotional, psychological, and social stability. It involves the proactive maintenance of mental health through awareness, prevention, and intervention strategies to ensure individuals feel safe, supported, and able to cope with life's challenges. Good mental health enables people to manage stress, build positive relationships, and make informed decisions.

Conversely, inadequate mental health support can leave individuals, particularly young girls, more vulnerable to various forms of exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse. Additionally, ensuring that mental health resources are readily available and accessible helps girls seek help when needed.

Experiencing Mental Health Issues in Zambia? Seek Help here:

1. Lifeline Childline toll free line: Phone: 116

2. GBV One Stop Centers

3. Youth Friendly Corners at Clinics

4. Department of Social Welfare

5. Advocacy for Child Justice: 1302 Ngwerere Ave, Lusaka 10101, Phone: 095 3015765

6. Victim Support Unit: 991.

Written by Chintu Masanta

edited by Hadassah Louis

Chintu Masanta is an Advocacy Lead at Safety First for Girls (SAFIGI) Outreach Foundation. She champions mental safety and environmental safety as key themes of her work. Her area of focus is inclusion of young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).