Violence Against Women: A Study of Women’s Experiences and Views of Men Post 1994

Violence against women and girls in South Africa is widespread and imposes significant suffering and hardship – not only on those individual women who fall victim to such crimes, but also their families and communities who are themselves often left bewildered, disrupted and angry in the aftermath of such violence. These high physical, psychological, social and economic costs make it imperative not only to put appropriate and adequate assistance in place to support those who experience such abuse, but also to devise measures that prevent these harms from occurring in the first place.

wanting to contribute to such an agenda, the FHR commissioned Social Surveys in 2003 to undertake a study determining the extent and nature of violence against women in South Africa. A reference group of experts in this area was established and met in March 2004 to discuss the methodology of the study, as well as its scope. They recommended the addition of two further components to the study: one focusing on the vulnerability, fear and security issues faced daily by many women; and the other exploring men’s attitudes and beliefs to violence against women.

ISBN: 9-780981-434902
Publisher: Irish Aid
Year of Publication: 2009