Programmes for change: Addressing sexual and intimate partner violence in South Africa

Nj Shai,Y Sikweyiya

doi:10.4314/sacq.v51i1.4

Abstract

South Africa has a number of locally evaluated interventions that have been designed to prevent sexual and intimate partner violence before it occurs. This article describes such programmes that have been evaluated and found to be promising or effective. Seven locally evaluated primary prevention interventions are described, along with the evidence regarding their level of effectiveness. These interventions include mother-child, parentteen, individual and group-based interventions. All of these interventions are developed based on evidence and primary prevention principles: a sound theory of change, cultural relevance, participatory methods and evaluation through randomised controlled trials.

Highlights

Consistent with this estimate, studies report that girls have a two- to threefold risk of sexual abuse compared to boys.[5]
The qualitative findings of this study suggested that the lack of significant impact on women’s self-reported experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) may have been influenced by their limited power in relationships, as well as by external sources such as economic independence.[49]
An randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the efficacy of an intervention designed to improve the mother–infant relationship and security of infant attachment in a South African peri-urban settlement with marked adverse socioeconomic circumstances

Summary

Introduction

Consistent with this estimate, studies report that girls have a two- to threefold risk of sexual abuse compared to boys.[5]. Global statistics indicate that at least 20% (one in five) women have been sexually or physically assaulted by a man or men, not necessarily partners, in their lifetime.[10] In Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, 26% to 59% of women have been forced to have sex by intimate partners.[11] In South Africa, 24.6% to 37.7% of adult women have experienced sexual and/or physical IPV in their lifetime,[12] and 31% in their most recent marriage or cohabiting relationships.[13]. Sexual and intimate partner violence (SIPV) is known to have injurious effects on the physical, mental and sexual health of victims.[14] Victimisation by an intimate partner increases women’s health risk behaviours, including alcohol abuse, smoking and non-medical use of sedatives or analgesics.[15] A recent systematic review found that ‘women who experienced IPV were less likely to report that their male partners used condoms than women who did not’.16.

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Conclusion