14/11/2025
Key GBV Statistics in South Africa
1 in 3 women in South Africa have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Femicide and Murder Rates
Between July and September 2024, 957 women were murdered (HSRC)
From April 2023 – March 2024, 5,578 women were killed.
The rate of femicide is alarming: reports suggest South Africa's female interpersonal violence death rate is several times above the global average.
Sexual Violence
The HSRC national study found that 9.9% of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime – that’s approximately 2.15 million women.
In the 2023–2024 reporting year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) recorded 42,569 r**e cases. (amnesty.org.za)
Importantly, Amnesty International notes that a large proportion of sexual violence likely goes unreported. (amnesty.org.za)
Assault / Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH)
Between July and September 2024, according to the HSRC, 14,366 women experienced assaults resulting in grievous bodily harm. (HSRC)
Targeting by Intimate Partners
Over a four-year period (April 2020 to March 2024), 198,176 women were targeted in domestic violence incidents by intimate partners (TimesLIVE)
The breakdown of perpetrators is especially telling: in that timeframe, 114,722 women were targeted by boyfriends; tens of thousands more by ex-partners, husbands, or other intimate relations. (TimesLIVE)
Vulnerable Populations
Women with disabilities are at higher risk. The HSRC report found that 29.3% women with disabilities have experienced lifetime physical abuse, versus 21.7% for women without disabilities. (HSRC)
Sexual violence among women with disabilities is also higher: 14.6% (disability) vs. 7.2% (no disability). (HSRC)
Psychological, economic, and controlling behaviors are also more prevalent among women with disabilities. (HSRC)
These statistics emphasize how widespread GBV is in South Africa. It’s not a marginal issue—it affects millions of women, many of whom will require medical and psychosocial support.
