GOOD statement by Brett Herron,
GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
19 August 2022
The latest crime statistics paint a terrifying picture of life in South Africa for women, children and other vulnerable communities with alarmingly high and unacceptable levels of rape, murder and violent crimes once again being reported.
From April to June 2022, 855 women (53,2% increase) and 243 children (46,4% increase) were killed in South Africa, while 9516 rape cases were reported to SAPS during the same period.
While the number of rape cases decreased slightly, compared to the same period last year, the number is still staggeringly too high.
An analysis of the rape stats for the last financial year indicate that there has been no real reduction in the number of rape cases being reported.
Last year (April 2021 to March 2022) the total number of rape cases reported, in the quarterly statistics, exceed 40 000 – averaging around 10 000 per quarter.
With a staggering 50 000 rape cases reported over the last 5 quarters (including the stats released today) the fact that only 286 rape convictions were achieved in the first quarter of this year is shocking.
South Africans, and our authorities and law enforcement, are clearly letting women and children down.
Whether it’s due to a lack of capacity, skills or training within the police or National Prosecuting Authority, something needs to be done, as these statistics will continue to grow unless drastic steps are taken.
It seems no place is safe with 3 780 of the rapes, in the first quarter of this year, having been reported as taking place in the homes of the rapists or homes of the victims.
This is also a staggering statistic that is at the root of GOOD’s campaign against GBFV launched this month encouraging victims to break the silence, and speak up!
Where are women and children supposed to feel safe?
This systemic violence against women and other vulnerable communities is rooted in our patriarchal society. It is also a result of a broken society with deep socio-economic wounds that have never been healed or addressed including inequality, poverty, unemployment and poor education outcomes.
Reducing this horrifying reality is all of our responsibility. The perpetrators are predominantly men and men need to hold other men accountable.
The time to speak out is now. While the challenges, trauma and loss caused by GBVF in this country is a monument to our failures that we can never forget, that does not mean that there is no hope.
We have a duty to lower these numbers every day until violence and rape becomes a rarity, not a norm.
We must create a future where our daughters are free and we are learning about GBVF in history books, not from our environment.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za