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and social withdrawal. Consequently, men’s decreased   called Just Detention International – South Africa, this
            Behind Bars                                                                                                                  can be problematic, as their trauma may instead manifest   areas  in  Gauteng.  The  study  aims  to  provide  the  first
                                                                                                                                                                                              new project spans all eight correctional management
                                                                                                                                         likelihood  of  acknowledging  or  developing  depression
                                                                                                                                                                                              comprehensive, province-wide data on sexual and
                                                                                                                                         through behaviours associated with invulnerability. These
                                                                                                                                                                                              physical violence among incarcerated men and is poised
                                                                                                                                         behaviours often include destructive actions, such as
                                                                                                                                                                                              to uncover critical insights into the factors that contribute
                                                                                                                                         outbursts of anger or acts of aggression toward others,
            and Beyond:                                                                                                                  including other men, intimate partners, or children. These   to violence within these environments.
                                                                                                                                         insights reinforce the need for mental health programs
                                                                                                                                                                                              These  findings  will  play  an  essential  role  in  shaping
                                                                                                                                         that  encourage  men  to  reassess  these  norms,  which,
                                                                                                                                                                                              evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing
                                                                                                                                         although pervasive, prevent many from confronting and
                                                                                                                                                                                              sexual violence in correctional facilities. With its focus
                                                                                                                                         healing from their experiences of victimisation.
                                                                                                                                                                                              on risk factors and prevalence rates, Nkosi’s research
            Confronting the Mental Health Impact                                                                                         Confronting Sexual Violence in South                 could pave the way for policies and support systems that
                                                                                                                                                                                              acknowledge the unique mental health needs of male
                                                                                                                                         Africa’s Correctional Facilities
                                                                                                                                                                                              survivors in correctional facilities, ultimately aiding their
            of Sexual Violence on Incarcerated Men                                                                                       Nkosi’s research was conducted in correctional facilities   rehabilitation.
                                                                                                                                         in Tshwane, Gauteng, where sexual violence rates among
                                                                                                                                         male  inmates  are  significantly  higher  than  those  in  the   Supporting Survivors and
                                                                                                                                         general  population.  Correctional  settings  globally  are   Strengthening Justice
                                                                                                                                         marked by elevated risks of both sexual and physical
                                                                                                                                         violence, yet these environments have received limited   Protecting the mental health of incarcerated men is not
                                                                                                                                         research and intervention. This lack of attention not   only about personal healing; it’s a crucial step in building
                                                                                                                                         only endangers inmates, the mental health and safety of   a safer and more just society. South Africa’s epidemic
                                                                                                                                         incarcerated people, but also has societal consequences.   of violent crime and the cycle of reoffending can only
                                                                                                                                         Neglecting rehabilitation for incarcerated men often   be addressed with a justice system that safeguards
                                                                                                                                         means they return to society without having healed from   the well-being of its detained population, rehabilitates
                                                                                                                                         their trauma, which can perpetuate cycles of violence and   people convicted of offenses, and encourages personal
                                                                                                                                         crime.                                               transformation.

                                                                                                                                                                                              Nkosi’s work calls attention to the need for interventions
                                                                                                                                         Nkosi’s  findings  highlight  the  importance  of  addressing
                                                                                                                                         the unique challenges faced by men who survive       that empower male survivors to confront and heal from
                                                                                                                                         sexual violence in detention facilities. Failing to protect   their trauma without stigma. By creating detention
            Sexual violence leaves lasting scars on the mental    these ideals. Particularly for men assaulted by other men,             incarcerated  men  and  support  their  mental  health  can   environments that foster respect, empathy, and mental
            health of survivors, contributing to conditions like Post-  this  trauma can produce distressing confusion  regarding        hinder the rehabilitative goals of the correctional system,   health  support,  her  research  highlights  a  hopeful  path
            Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD), depression, and     identity, masculinity, and sexual orientation, compounding             increasing the likelihood of reoffending.            forward, one that addresses the complex intersections of
            substance  use  disorders.  While  much  of  the  research   feelings of shame and isolation.                                                                                     masculinity, trauma, and rehabilitation within the justice
            on this issue has focused on women and children, male                                                                                                                             system.
            survivors are also deeply affected yet their experiences   In 2014, SAMRC researcher Dr. Sebenzile Nkosi examined            New Research to Address the Crisis of
            remain largely overlooked. For men, especially those   this conflict in her study. This research investigated how            Violence in Correctional Facilities                  Understanding and supporting the mental health needs
            incarcerated, societal expectations of masculinity create   men’s mental health is affected by sexual violence in the                                                             of male survivors of sexual violence is crucial to fostering
            a unique mental health challenge that is complex and   context  of  masculine  norms.  Her  findings  revealed  that         Building on her previous work, Nkosi now leads a     a healthier, safer society both inside and outside
            often stigmatised.                                    men who internalised rigid ideals of masculinity such                  National Research Foundation funded study to assess the   correctional facilities. By challenging harmful ideals of
                                                                  as the need to appear tough and unaffected, were less                  prevalence and risk factors for inmate-on-inmate sexual   masculinity and recognising the lasting impact of trauma
            The Struggle of Male Survivors                        likely to report being affected by depression, even after              and  physical  violence  among incarcerated  men  across   on male inmates, Nkosi’s work could contribute to a more
                                                                  experiencing sexual victimisation. Social expectations                 Gauteng’s correctional facilities. Partnering with other   compassionate approach to justice and rehabilitation in
            In many cultures, men are expected to be resilient,   that prioritise emotional impassivity and control over                 SAMRC researchers,  and a human rights organisation   South Africa.
            self-sufficient,  and  emotionally  controlled.  This  social   vulnerability often limit men’s ability to recognise and
            conditioning creates significant barriers for male survivors   express psychological distress, including symptoms of
            of sexual violence, who may feel their trauma undermines   depression  such  as  low  mood, sadness,  hopelessness,



            20    THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL                                                                                                                                                     THE COMMUNITY ISSUE         21
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