Not All Wounds Are Visible: The Lingering Impact of Gender-Based Violence

When people hear the term gender-based violence, many instantly picture bruises, black eyes, or hospital visits. While physical injuries are often the most visible outcomes of abuse, they are far from the only consequences. The deeper damage often lies beneath the surface—scars that can’t be photographed, documented, or stitched closed. These are the invisible wounds that linger: the psychological, emotional, and societal impacts that can haunt survivors for a lifetime.

Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at individuals based on their gender. Though men and boys can also be victims, GBV disproportionately affects women and girls around the world. It includes domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking, harassment, coercive control, trafficking, and harmful practices like forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Yet despite its global scale, GBV often remains shrouded in silence and shame.

The Psychological Toll: Trauma That Lingers

Long after the bruises fade, the trauma endures. Survivors of GBV frequently battle mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and chronic fear. Some experience flashbacks, nightmares, emotional numbness, or feelings of hopelessness. Others struggle with guilt, believing the abuse was somehow their fault.

What’s worse, many survivors internalize their trauma, hiding it from the world. They may not seek help due to shame, stigma, or fear of being blamed or not believed. For some, even the thought of recounting what happened can trigger panic or retraumatization. In this silence, suffering festers.

The Social Silence That Protects Abusers

In many cultures, GBV is still viewed as a private matter or something to be endured rather than addressed. Victims are often met with skepticism, judgment, or even outright hostility. Questions like “What were you wearing?”, “Did you provoke him?”, or “Why didn’t you leave?” reflect a society that routinely blames victims instead of holding perpetrators accountable.

This cultural conditioning doesn’t just shame victims—it protects abusers. When society refuses to believe survivors or minimizes their pain, it sends a clear message: silence is safer than seeking justice. And so, many remain trapped in cycles of violence, with no clear path to escape.

The Cost Beyond the Individual

The impact of gender-based violence extends beyond emotional trauma. Survivors often face long-term social and economic consequences. Many are forced to leave their jobs, drop out of school, or relocate to escape their abusers. This can lead to poverty, housing insecurity, and isolation.

For mothers, the effects can be even more far-reaching. Children who witness violence at home are at greater risk of developing emotional and behavioral problems. Without intervention, the cycle of violence can perpetuate across generations, affecting not just individuals, but families and entire communities.

Healing Requires More Than Time

While time can ease pain, healing from GBV often requires dedicated mental health care, community support, and safety. Survivors benefit most when they are heard, believed, and empowered to make their own choices without judgment. Access to trauma-informed counseling, shelters, legal advocacy, and supportive social networks can be life-changing.

Public awareness is also crucial. The more we talk openly about gender-based violence, the more we break down the barriers of stigma and silence. Education plays a vital role in prevention—especially when young people are taught about healthy relationships, consent, respect, and equality from an early age.

Changing the Narrative, Together

Ending gender-based violence is not the responsibility of women alone. Everyone has a role to play. Men, especially, must become allies—challenging sexist behavior, holding peers accountable, and standing against all forms of abuse. Governments must enact and enforce laws that protect victims and punish perpetrators. Institutions must create safe, inclusive spaces where survivors feel supported and empowered.

Every time we believe a survivor, support a friend, speak out against abuse, or vote for leaders who prioritize women’s safety, we move closer to a world where gender-based violence is no longer tolerated—or hidden.

Conclusion: Seeing the Invisible

The most dangerous wounds are often the ones no one sees. They are carried in silence, hidden behind brave smiles and quiet resilience. Recognizing that not all wounds are visible is the first step in creating a world where survivors are no longer expected to suffer alone. The scars of gender-based violence may be invisible, but their impact is real—and it’s time we all opened our eyes.