Domestic Violence in South Africa

The Institute of Security Studies (South Africa) did a research project in 1999. They found that:

• 90% of the women interviewed had experienced emotional abuse: being humiliated in front of others was most commonly reported.
• 90% had also experienced physical abuse: being pushed or shoved and being slapped or hit were highlighted.
• 71% had experienced sexual abuse: attempts to kiss or touch followed by forced sexual intercourse occurred most often.
• 58% experienced economic abuse: money taken without consent was most common.
• 42.5% of women had experienced all forms of abuse.
• 60% of all cases of abuse were committed by partners, lovers or spouses.
• -Emotional abuse-either as a category on its own or in combination with other types of abuse was referred to by 63% of women as being the most serious.

-According to a Medical Research Council study, young women are more subjected to assault (ranging from slapping to beating with objects and stabbing) and sexual coercion by partners and others.