Action Society was not surprised to see the Crime Statistics of the Second Quarter of 2024/2025 paint a blood-soaked South Africa. Violent crimes of all kinds saw an increase compared to the previous quarter and the figures are disturbing. Action Society however is concerned that these statistics are not truly reflective of violence perpetrated against women and children.
The bloodbath continued in the second quarter of 2024/2025. Murders reached a total number of 6 545 which means 73 people are killed per day and attempted murder cases reached a figure of 7 061, which amounts to 78 per day. For this period, 42 721 people were assaulted with the intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH), which amounts to 475 per day.
For this period, 10 191 rapes were recorded, with 113 women being raped per day (almost five per hour). During the same period, a total of 957 women were murdered – 11 per day. Assault GBH against women increased to 14 366 – 160 per day.
Violence against children remains a serious concern. For the same period 315 children were killed – 4 per day and 490 were victims of attempted murder – 5 per day. At least 1 944 children were seriously assaulted – 22 per day. In total there has been an increase of almost 36% in attempted murder against children.
The truth is that violence against women is worse than what these numbers will lead you to believe. According to a recent study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) an estimated total of 1 338 336 women were abused roughly between January and December of 2021 and 432 525 women were sexually abused. Worryingly, according to the same period’s crime statistics only 47 721 cases of Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (Assault GBH) were reported and 97 825 cases of sexual offences including rape were reported.
“From this, one can calculate that only three out of every 100 women who suffer physical abuse and only one out of five women who suffer sexual abuse, report it to the authorities, meaning that the crime statistics is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Action Society’s Juanita du Preez.
“Action Society demands that more stringent action is taken to protect the women and children of this country. We cannot let another 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children pass with only lip service and no action taken. We need these crimes to be prioritised,” concluded du Preez.
