Year Published: 2014
Author: Lisa Vetten
Publisher: Institute for Security Studies
Suggested Citation: Vetten L (2014) Rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa (Policy Brief 72). Institute for Security Studies.
The high rate of rape and other forms of sexual violence in South Africa has sparked concern and outrage, leading to law reform, parliamentary debates, marches and campaigns. It has also led to a range of policy interventions intended to reduce the number of people who fall victim to these crimes. This policy brief summarises available information about the nature and extent of sexual violence in South Africa. It also describes some efforts to address the problem. However, it does not focus extensively on child sexual abuse – this being a topic in its own right.