YOUNG OBSERVER | Why society expects rape survivors to simply “move on”

Patience Makwele

The assault may last minutes. The trauma can last a lifetime.

Yet for many rape survivors, one of the most painful experiences comes long after the crime itself. It comes when family members, friends, colleagues and even entire communities expect them to carry on as though nothing happened.

For survivors, healing is rarely that simple.

Long after police reports have been filed and court proceedings concluded, many continue to battle anxiety, depression, nightmares, panic attacks, trust issues and emotional wounds invisible to those around them.

Despite growing awareness around gender-based violence, experts warn that Namibia still struggles to understand the long-term psychological impact of sexual violence and the burden survivors carry long after the headlines disappear.

The concern comes as Namibia continues to record alarming levels of rape and gender-based violence.

Police statistics show that 1 345 rape cases were recorded between April 2024 and February 2025 as part of 4 405 gender-based violence cases reported nationally.