GBV: Numbers Don’t Lie…

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a crisis in South Africa, classified as a national disaster. Extensive research from the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) indicates that over 33.1% of SA women over the age of 18 have experienced physical violence in their lifetime, with nearly 40% experiencing some form of physical or sexual violence.

Prevalence and Types of Abuse

- Roughly one in ten women (9.8%) have experienced lifetime sexual violence, while 33.1% have experienced physical violence.

- Emotional abuse is highly prevalent, with over 50% of women reporting that they have experienced controlling behaviour from partners, and 25% facing lifetime emotional abuse.

- One in eight women over 18 have been subjected to financial abuse - unreasonably deprived of economic or financial resources to which they are entitled.

Vulnerable Populations

- Women with disabilities face significantly higher risks of GBV. Studies show 29.3% of women with disabilities face physical abuse, and they experience twice the rate of sexual violence compared to women without disabilities.

- High rates of child sexual abuse continue to be reported, which fuels an ongoing cycle of trauma and societal challenges.

Causes and Reporting

- Major contributing factors include poverty, systemic inequality, substance and alcohol abuse, and deeply entrenched cultural norms.

- A significant challenge is underreporting, with many victims choosing not to report cases to authorities due to a lack of immediate support resources or fear of secondary victimisation.

Did You Know?

SA’s special Thuthuzela Care Centres (TCCs) achieve a 77.8% conviction rate for GBV court cases, compared to a national average of only around 3%. ‘Thuthuzela’ is a Xhosa word that means ‘to comfort.’ These centres provide a world-renowned, ‘one-stop shop’ strategy managed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Safety and Support Resources

GBV Command Centre: A 24/7 toll-free call centre operating nationwide. You can call 0800 428 428 or use the “Please Call Me” service by dialing 1207867#. You can also go to www.sanalifestyle.co.za to view our Practitioner Network.