Crime statistics: Prove what we know about gender-based violence plague

Ministry of Police published the 2018/19 crime statistics on Thursday and recorded data of sexual offences prove what we already know about the plague of gender-based violence, as data indicates 144 sexual offences daily, including rape.

Crime statistics: 144 sexual offences are happening daily

The category of sexual offences has experienced a 4,6% increase, bringing the total number for recorded cases to 52 4200.

South Africa is in shambles with the scourge of gender-based violence, as recent protests have summoned Cyril Ramaphosa, to lend an ear and initiate changes to presiding laws, so that harsher sentences are given to perpetrators.

The category of sexual offences in 2018/2019 crime statistics include rape, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault, and contact sexual assault. Police Minister, Bheki Cele, noted that the crime stats “are not very rosy”, as he further looks into the recorded incidents of sexual offences and murders in recent data.

In the last year, 41 583 cases of rape have been reported; which leads to a 3,9% increase that proves to be the highest since 2016.

Crime statistics: Top three provinces recorded for rape cases

In Gauteng, there are 8 417 incidents of rape; Kwa-Zulu Natal follows with 7 667 recorded incidents; and the Eastern Cape comes in with 7 304 recorded incidents of rape.

The rape category data shockingly proves that 1 1861 recorded cases of rape, against women between the ages of 20 to 29; and between the ages of 30 to 39, around 7 658 cases of rape are recorded.

Top ten stations with reported rape cases:

1. Inanda Kwa-Zulu Natal
2. Lusikisiki: Eastern Cape
3. Thohoyandou: Limpopo
4. Umlazi: Kwa-Zulu Natal
5. Delft: Western Cape
6. Nyanga: Western Cape
7. Mthatha: Eastern Cape
8. Orange Farm: Gauteng
9. Empangeni: Kwa-Zulu Natal
10. Ivory Park: Gauteng

Horrific numbers prove more than 18 000 children were raped in the past 12 months

There are 18 586 reported cases of rape against children, furthermore, there are 24 387 reported cases of sexual assault against children.

These horrific numbers indicate that in the last 12 months, children have been victims of these sexual offences, with the most occurring in Gauteng, as data indicates 8 599 incidents have been reported in the province.

The increase in gender-based violence has reached new heights, as 179 683 recorded attacks against women, feature 45 238 reported cases in the Gauteng province.

Top three provinces with the crime against women and children

It is safe to say Gauteng is prominent in crimes against women and children, leading with 53 837 reported cases. Coming in second is the Western Cape with 46 092 reported cases, and Kwa-Zulu Natal follows with 33 667 recorded cases of crime against women and children.