Gender Based Violence cases continue to rise during lockdown

Crime rate has decreased since the national lockdown but a disturbing statistic is that the number of cases regarding Gender-based Violence have increased. Police Minister Bheki Cele confirmed on 5 April 2020 that the number of Gender-based Violence complaints remains high and therefore concerning. Over 2,320 complaints have been registered in the beginning of the lockdown on 27 March to 31 March 2020 and about 148 suspects were charged. The figure is 37% higher than the weekly average of the 87,290 domestic violence cases reported to police during 2019.

The aim of the national lockdown is to curb the rapid spread of the deadly Corona Virus, but to women who are in abusive relationships, home is the worst place to be because they have to stay with their abusers 24/7.

During this lockdown, victims may be less likely to report domestic violence because:
• They are very much concerned about emotional damage to the children
• They have no access to phones or public transport to take them to police station, to a shelter or to a doctor
• Some of them may be financially dependent on their abuser
• They do not trust that authorities will believe them, especially victims of sexual abuse.
• They are threatened that if they ever report the issue, they will be killed.

Dr Lesley Ann Foster of Masimanyane Women’s Right International said there is going to be an increase in violence as people lose their jobs and or income and food security is compromised. She said authorities should brace themselves for a spike in the number of gender-based violence cases as the lockdown continues. Social distancing and self-isolation are becoming harder to adhere since shelters are becoming packed with victims of domestic abuse and there is no space to accept new people.