Domestic violence cases drop

Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
CASES of domestic violence in the country have decreased by about 18 percent from 3 141 to 2 654 in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. However, the reported cases increased by five percent to 10 871 in 2012 from 10 351 in 2011, according to statistics from Anti-Domestic Violence Council.

In a statement yesterday, the council’s chairman, Mr Kelvin Hazangwi, said the increase recorded last year could be an indicator that more victims were gathering the courage to make reports.

“Recent statistics shared by the Chief Magistrate’s Office indicate that from January to April 2013 alone, a total of 2 654 new cases of domestic violence were received by the courts.

“Reported domestic violence cases handled by the Zimbabwe Republic Police Victim Friendly Unit rose from 10 351 in 2011 to 10 871 in 2012,” said Mr Hazangwi.

He encouraged communities to familiarise themselves with the Domestic Violence Act, which has a provision for third parties to report perpetrators of any kind of domestic violence.

“The increase might be an indicator that there is a lot of violence taking place but it is also an indicator that women, the mostly affected, are opening up. It is also a good sign because members of the public are now free to report abusers so that justice is rendered,” he said.

Contacted for comment, Bulawayo provincial development officer Mrs Vaidah Mashangwa said though the figures were worrying, it was high time men started reporting cases of violence as well.

“The increase in reported cases is worrying and it can also mean that people are now aware and empowered. We also encourage men and boys to report cases of violence because we have realised that it is not only women who are victims of violence. Gender issues are not only for women and as a ministry, we are also there to attend to men and boys as well,” said Mrs Mashangwa.

She said members of the public had to familiarise themselves with the Domestic Violence Act as it was for everyone.
“I am also glad because we now have three shelters for domestic violence survivors in Bulawayo compared to the past when we used to have one.

“Spouses should also avoid violence because if affects children who usually go through many challenges as a result of the violence,” said Mrs Mashangwa.

Gender activist Ms Lindile Ndebele said economic instability, migration, drug abuse and irresponsibility remained the main triggers of domestic violence.

“The figure does not portray the reality on the ground because thousands of women are abused every minute and do not report because of fear and stigma.

“Another challenge is that many women, 60 percent, withdraw cases soon after reporting because of cultural values, family pressures and economic dependence on men. The increase in the reported cases is a good sign as it shows that women are now opening up because in the past they suffered in silence even unto death,” said Ms Ndebele.

She said the possible solution was economic development, which would also reduce violence triggered by spousal separation due to migration.

“Many women are abused by spouses who live in neighbouring countries who on hearing rumours about extra marital affairs end up killing these women,” said Ms Ndebele.

She also called on the Government, religious community and civil society to engage in programmes that would bring peace and gender equality in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe signed the Sadc Protocol on Gender and Development and was among the first countries to ratify the instrument in 2009.

One of the 28 targets of the protocol is to reduce cases of violence by half by 2015. According to the 2010-2011 Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey, the domestic violence prevalence rate is at 42 percent with 99 percent of the victims being women.