It has been proven that any person who is exposed to violence in a public place is either affected directly or indirectly. This results in psychological and human trauma to everyone involved, including bystanders. It leads to trauma and anxiety, which may sometimes become chronic. The burning and destruction of buildings, fighting with the South African Police Officials and private security officials, harassment, and intimidation may lead to endless trauma and acute anxiety reactions. The affected people may always be scared and more vigilant than usual. This may disturb sleeping patterns and stress-related disorders, which are indicators of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This normally affected bystanders who were not directly involved in violent or destructive student protests. Secondary trauma is normally exhibited by people who are witnessing or being exposed to violent situations.
The effects of trauma and anxiety may negatively affect students’ concentration, motivation, and memory functionality. Affected students may find it difficult to concentrate during violent protests and may show symptoms of emotional breakdown and emotional exhaustion. This may result in poor academic performance because their academic schedules have been disrupted.
The dangerous result is when protesting students and bystanders start to internalise the fact that resorting to destructive and violent acts is the legitimate way of resolving conflict. It begins to pose a danger to our youth’s socialisation and problem-solving techniques. It also led to tensions between supporters of violent protests and peace-loving students, as well as between students and executive management and security officials. It led to a campus rife with tension and distrust. Social cohesion is then eliminated.
Students who are not part of the violent student protests may start to doubt the authority of the university’s executive management, security cluster officials, and student leadership. The social contract within the university environment becomes questionable when academic activities and university operations are disrupted.
The negative impact of violent protests is the possibility of physical harm coming from protests, police, and security, such as rubber bullets, teargas inhalation, from falling damaged buildings, and or stampedes. In worst-case scenarios, there is a loss of life or loss of limbs, full-time disabilities, and long-term medical conditions. University employees are also on the firing line during the violent student protests.
One of the worst-case scenarios is the notion that the embedded violence on campus may be transplanted into the general society. This may lead to the production of future violent community leaders.
By
Dr Sefoko Ramoshaba
064 709 2097
