By Ncaba Ntshakala
Startling new data from the Swatini Action Group Against Abuse (SWAGAA) reveals that home was the primary location of abuse in May 2024, accounting for 85% of reported gender-based violence (GBV) cases.
This highlights the disturbing reality that many survivors experience violence within their personal lives and homes.
The pervasiveness of GBV within intimate relationships and familiar environments expresses the critical role of family and community intervention to address the root causes of violence.
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In May 2024, a total of 57 GBV cases were first reported to SWAGAA, 54 to the police, 48 to other institutions, 14 to health facilities, 10 to the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), and 77 cases to other partners.
Mlungisi Tsela, a social worker expressed his sadness over these alarming statistics. Tsela asserted, “The fact that many cases were reported demonstrates the vital role of the which we need to play as a nation to curb the spread of GVB.
” Tsela also stated that we need to play a role in providing safe spaces for survivors to disclose and seek assistance.
However, SWAGAA stated that the fact that more than half of the reported cases went to other institutions or agencies indicates that there is room for improved collaboration among stakeholders to better support survivors.
From January to May 2024, SWAGAA recorded 1,172 GBV cases, with the monthly breakdown as follows: 246 in January, 227 in February, 240 in March, 210 in April, and 249 in May.
Emotional abuse was the most frequently reported type of abuse across these months. The data shows the following trends: January (21%), February (19%), March (20%), April (18%), and May (21%).
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These statistics are said to illustrate the persistent nature of emotional abuse and a fluctuation in the prevalence of sexual abuse, which averaged 13% over the five months.
In May 2024, there was an increase of 167 reported cases compared to the previous month, which had 150 cases. During this period, 11 follow-up cases were made through the toll-free line.
Additionally, 178 survivors called through the toll-free line seeking help from SWAGAA’s case workers.
Of the reported cases, 7% were children (5% female and 2% male), 55% were female adults, and 38% were male adults.
Notably, despite technical issues with MTN Eswatini’s network affecting other lines, one toll-free line remained functional.
Furthermore, there was a notable increase in the total number of female adults reporting GBV incidents in May 2024, with a 12% rise from April 2024.
Male adult reports increased by 10%, female child reports by 22%, and male child reports by 50%.
The majority of cases were reported by female adults (55%), followed by male adults (38%), female children (5%), and male children (2%).
