Infographic: Domestic Violence

The 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey (SADHS), a collaborative effort between Statistics South Africa and the worldwide Demographic and Health Survey Program also covered domestic and gender-based violence (GBV). Despite constitutional protections, GBV remains persistent and widespread in South Africa and violence against women occurs across socioeconomic status, race, age, and religion.

The report shows that:

• One in five (21%) of women has experienced physical violence by an intimate partner
• Divorced or separated women are more likely to have ever experienced physical violence (40%)
• Experience of sexual violence by women in the last 12 months highest among 18-24 year olds (3.2%)
• Experience of sexual violence by a partner was highest among women who are divorced or separated (16.4%)

Parliament had an urgent debate on violence against women on 1 June 2016. Democratic Alliance MP, Zak Mbhele, requested the urgent sitting following a public rise in violent crimes against women and children in the past few weeks. Francois Beukman, Chairperson of the Police Portfolio Committee, said that a joint meeting between the police, justice and women portfolio committees will be scheduled to allow members of the public and civil organisations to make submissions in Parliament.

See infographic below for more: