In fact, we as CiAT believe that the major focus on GBV and VAC should be psychological reasons leading perpetuators to act violently and the consequences of violence to victims. That is why we say, Violence starts and ends in the MIND. It starts in the mentally ill or disturbed perpetuator who cause all kinds (physical, social, psychological) of pain to the victim but the long-lasting pain is psychological which is seldom attended to during intervention. Yes, the perpetuator will be prosecuted but did we take trouble to know why he/she acted violently, if yes, what did we do to prevent him/her from acting violently other than sending him to jail. On the other hand, yes, the victim will be medically attended to cure the physical wounds but what do we do with the internal (psychological) wounds which are not seen. How will we prevent victim from becoming a perpetuator of violence as a way of revenge, in the future? The answer is, appropriate psychological services to both groups which include Crisis Intervention, PTSD Counselling, Group Therapy, and Psycho-education.
