#BreakFreeFromViolence

•10 ideas •100 interventions •1000 stories •10 000 conversations •100 000 signed pledges. #StopViolence

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

At #BreakFree, we recognise that healing is a process and every person’s experience is different.

We remain committed to creating safe spaces, raising awareness and equipping young people with the knowledge and tools to better understand themselves and navigate difficult life experiences.

#TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Understanding trauma and developing healthy coping mechanisms are important steps towards emotional well-being and recovery.

On the second day of the trauma debriefing session, members explored how difficult experiences can influence their emotions, behaviour and everyday lives.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Pastor Wimpie Vernooy reminded participants: “Respect your grief and give others the space to grieve in their own way. Allow yourself to feel the pain, acknowledge what you have lost, and take the time you need to process it. But don’t allow yourself to get stuck in it.”

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Tomorrow’s full day session will continue with exploring trauma triggers, emotions, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, helping members recognise what may trigger certain responses and understand healthier ways of dealing with difficult emotions and experiences.

#TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Understanding trauma is an important part of the healing journey.

The #BreakFree pillar is hosting a two-day trauma debriefing session for 30 #BeFree members at the #BeFree Youth Campus, facilitated by Pastor Wimpie Vernooy, Ministry Leader and Director of the Mental Health & Addiction Ministry at Christian Family Centre (CFC) in Windhoek.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Today’s session focused on understanding trauma and its effects.
Members also took part in a creative self-reflection activity where they drew an animal they identify with and shared what about the animal reflects them.

The activity encouraged participants to explore their emotions, personalities and experiences in a simple and comfortable way, while getting to know themselves and one another better.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Tomorrow’s full day session will continue with exploring trauma triggers, emotions, healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, helping members recognise what may trigger certain responses and understand healthier ways of dealing with difficult emotions and experiences.

#TraumaAwareness #HealthyCoping

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

As the campaign comes to an end, one message stands strong: abuse thrives in silence, but awareness, education and open conversations create safer communities for everyone.

Thank you to every student who showed up, listened, shared and challenged perspectives. Together, we continue to break the silence.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

The final stop of the "Don't Touch Me, I Will Report You" campaign took us to NUST, where students came together to engage in meaningful and necessary conversations about GBV, consent, victim blaming and personal safety.

The dialogue created space for diverse perspectives, including discussions around the challenges male survivors may face when reporting abuse and the importance of believing and supporting all survivors regardless of gender.

Students explored how harmful stereotypes, stigma and silence can prevent individuals from seeking help, while reinforcing the importance of consent, respect and accountability in all relationships.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

The session also included interactive engagements and a performance by upcoming artist Scissors.🔥

The message remains clear: consent is non-negotiable, boundaries matter, and no one should feel afraid to speak up.

“No means no, at any point in a relationship.”

Shout out to Triumphant College, NAMPOL, and every young voice that showed up, shared and listened. The conversation doesn’t end here. 🙌

Let’s continue to respect boundaries, protect each other and speak up against abuse. 💬

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

The conversation is moving, and this time, #BreakFree took it to Triumphant College.✨

In collaboration with Triumphant College, the third activation of the “Do Not Touch Me, I Will Report You” campaign created a space for young people to talk openly about gender-based violence, consent, personal safety and speaking up.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Chief Inspector Simaho from The Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) spoke about personal safety, knowing your rights, reporting abuse and that it’s never late to seek help. 🛡️

One Economy Foundation social workers unpacked the emotional and psychological impact of abuse, helping students recognise different forms of abuse, understand boundaries and know when to seek support.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Chief Inspector Simaho of the Namibian Police Force also raised awareness about sexual assault, including cyber-enabled sexual abuse, the importance of reporting incidents and the reality that boys and men can also be victims of sexual violence. Her presentation encouraged students to speak up, seek support and engage in conversations about strengthening safety and collaboration within university communities.

We were also pleased to have the LifeLine/ChildLine team contribute to the activation, reinforcing the importance of support services and access to help for those affected by abuse.

The strong participation, thought provoking questions and debates demonstrated the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can challenge harmful beliefs, understand their rights and take responsibility for respecting the boundaries of others.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

Today, the One Economy Foundation, in collaboration with the BreakFree2BeFree UNAM Society, brought students together for an impactful “Don’t Touch Me, I Will Report You”community activation, raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV), sexual abuse, personal safety, self-esteem and the importance of speaking out against abuse.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

The discussions sparked meaningful student engagement and lively debates around peer pressure, self-esteem, personal values, gender expectations, campus safety and the importance of making informed decisions.

A powerful highlight was the contribution of Namibian artist Lydia Kandovazu, popularly known as Scissors, who courageously shared her personal experience of GBV within her home. Her story delivered a message of hope, resilience and healing, reminding students that traumatic experiences do not have to define their futures.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

He said the initiative created spaces in barbershops where men could sit down, listen to one another and talk about issues that are not always easy to discuss. What stood out, he said, was that when men are given a space where they feel comfortable, they are willing to talk, listen and share.

He thanked the barbershops that opened their doors to the initiative: The Men’s Corner Grooming Studio, Tatekulu Barbershop, Legends Barbershop and Joe’s Fade Cuts, noting that they had become an important part of the journey.

He also thanked the men who attended the Barbershop Talks for showing up and being willing to participate. Some came for a haircut and stayed for a conversation, and those conversations grew into something much bigger than initially imagined.

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

It’s officially happening at Game Changers: A Gender
Dialogue.

The afternoon begins with Mr Daniel Williams, who welcomes participants to a space where men and women can come together, share their experiences and engage in honest conversations about the issues that affect us all.

ONE Executive Director, Ms Pauline Kahupi, delivered the opening remarks and set the tone for an afternoon focused on listening, understanding different perspectives and challenging the ways we think about gender, relationships and accountability, “We find that men are significantly less likely to seek mental health, and support despite experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance abuse. Our own data, consolidated by the Wellness team or the #Breakfree campaign team, tells a very similar story between January and September 2026, 1562 people use the psychosocial support services here on our campus. 73% of those were women. Just over 26% were male.”

[#BreakFreeFromViolence @BeFreeBreakFree]

The conversation may have come to an end, but the work continues.

After an afternoon of honest conversations, different perspectives and shared reflections, Game Changers:
A Gender Dialogue comes close.

Mr Olsen Siyunda, Social
Work Intern at One Economy Foundation, shared the
vote of thanks and reflected on the conversations and
contributions that made today possible.

Mr Siyunda said the Barbershop Talks marked a journey from conversations amongst men to conversations between men and women.