This report looks at the socio-economic conditions and levels of gender-based violence (GBV) in the community served by the Bojanala Legal Advice Centre We gathered insights from 219 household surveys, and the results show that rates of economic GBV and physical GBV are higher than national averages, highlighting a serious issue in the area Psychological GBV aligns with national figures, while sexual GBV islowerthanthenationalaverage,indicating differentchallengesforeachtypeofviolence.
peopleinthe community
Bojanala LegalAdvice Cente elderly people
WhatareSocio-Economic Rights?
Socio-economic rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and include access to food, healthcare, water, sanitation, educationandsocialsecurity(grants)-the government must provide these rights to EVERYONEinSouthAfrica.
The findings of this report highlight the ongoing challenges faced by the Bojanala community in addressing GBV and socio-economic issues Economicviolenceaffectsasignificantportionof the population, and financial struggles impact nearly all households, which is greater than national averages and makes it difficult for survivors to gain independence. The low conviction rates for both sexual and psychologicalGBVarelowerthannationalfigures, underscoring the need for stronger legal interventions and support systems Without effective programs aimed at economic empowerment, legal support, and GBV prevention,thecyclesofabuseandpovertyinthis community are likely to persist, making it harder forsurvivorstoescapeabusivesituations.
Financial insecurity has serious implications for survivors of GBV Survivors may remain dependent on their abusers for financial support, making it harder for them to leave abusive relationships. Additionally, the lack of income can prevent survivors from accessing essential services
in219respondentscompleted matric,lowerthanthenational average
in219respondentsreceivedgrants,withthe ChildSupportGrantbeingthemost common
The conviction rates for sexual, psychological, and physical GBV are notably low, mirroring national trends and highlighting the need for stronger legal protections and support systems. Addressing these issues through targeted economic empowerment, improved legal accountability,andtailoredGBVpreventionprogramsfor both youth and adults is essential for fostering safety, independence,andlong-termrecoveryforsurvivors.
Thisreportlooksatthesocio-economicconditionsandlevelsofgenderbased violence (GBV) in the community served by the Bojanala Legal AdviceCentre.Wegatheredinsightsfrom219householdsurveys,andthe results show that rates of economic GBV and physical GBV are higher than national averages, highlighting a serious issue in the area. Psychological GBV aligns with national figures, while sexual GBV is lower than the national average, indicating different challenges for each type of violence. Financial insecurity affects nearly all households surveyed, which is less of a concern compared to broader national issues. Educationallevelsmatchnationalaverages,butfoodinsecurityremains asignificantproblemformanypeoplehere.Thelowconvictionratesfor psychological and sexual GBV cases are lower than what we see nationally, creating serious barriers for survivors seeking justice. This underscores the urgent need for better legal protections and support systemstoaddressthesechallengesinthecommunity.
Demographics
Of the 219 people we spoke to, 102 were adults, 94 were youth (aged 1834), and 23 were elderly. The demographic data indicates that adults makeupthelargestagegroupinthecommunity,whichisimportantfor understandingthedynamicsofGBV.Adultsmayfaceissueslikefinancial dependency and long-term abusive relationships, while youth are more vulnerabletodatingandintimatepartnerviolence.
This diversity highlights the need for targeted GBV prevention and support programs that address the unique challenges of each age grouptoeffectivelyreduceviolenceandsupportsurvivorsinthisspecific SouthAfricancommunity.
Socio-EconomicConditionsandLinktoGBV
EducationLevel
Of the 219 people we spoke to, 115 (5 out of 10) reported having at least completed matric, matching the national average. While having a basic level of education provides individuals with better opportunities for employment and access to resources, the fact that only half have at least completed matric suggests there are still significant educational gaps. For survivors of GBV, education is a critical tool in understanding their rights and accessing support services. However, without further economic empowerment, completing matric alone may not be enough tohelpsurvivorsachievelong-termindependence.
IncomeLevels
Ofthe219peoplewespoketo,196(9outof10)reportedbeingfinancially insecure, matching the national average. This financial insecurity limits the ability of survivors to leave abusive relationships, as they may lack the resources to support themselves independently For the broader community, these high levels of financial insecurity exacerbate social instability and cycles of poverty, making it harder to address the root causes of GBV. Addressing financial insecurity through economic empowerment initiatives is essential for empowering survivors and creatingsustainablechange.
GrantDependency
Ofthe219peoplewespoketo,86(4outof10)reportedthattheirprimary household source of income was grants, higher than the national average of 3 out of 10. The most common grant was the Child Support Grant.Whilegrantsprovideessentialfinancialsupport,relianceongrants can limit financial independence for survivors, making it harder to leave abusive relationships. Expanding economic opportunities and support services will be key to helping survivors break free from financial dependency.
FoodSecurity
Ofthe219peoplewespoketo,101(5outof10)reportedexperiencingfood insecurity, matching the national average. Food insecurity can deepen survivors'dependencyonabusers,limitingtheirabilitytoescapeabusive relationships. Addressing food security is crucial for empowering GBV survivors and providing them with the resources needed to achieve independence.
GBVAnalysis
SexualGBV
Ofthe219peoplewespoketo,6reportedexperiencingsexualGBV,thisis lower than the national average. None of the 6 perpetrators were convicted – this conviction rate is lower than the already low national convictionrate.Thelackoflegalaccountabilitycandiscouragesurvivors fromreportingincidentsandperpetuatescyclesofviolence.
PsychologicalGBV
Of the 219 people we spoke to, 68 reported experiencing psychological GBV, aligning with the national average. Only 2 out of 68 perpetrators of psychological GBV were convicted – a conviction rate lower than the national conviction rate. This gap highlights the ongoing challenges in addressingpsychologicalabusethroughthelegalsystemandtheneed forstrongersupportsystems.
PhysicalGBV
Of the 219 people we spoke to, 50 reported experiencing physical GBV, whichishigherthanthenationalaverage.4outof50perpetratorswere convicted – a conviction rate lower than the national conviction rate. Despitethis,thehighprevalenceofphysicalviolencehighlightstheneed forstrongerpreventioneffortsandbettersupportservicesforsurvivors.
EconomicGBV
Of the 219 people we spoke to, 103 reported experiencing economic violence,whichishigherthanthenationalaverage
Economic violence traps survivors in abusive relationships due to financial dependency. Addressing this through socio-economic programsiscriticalforhelpingsurvivorsregaintheirindependence.
ImplicationsofLowConvictionRates
The low conviction rates for GBV in the community are consistent with national trends but have serious consequences. Perpetrators may continue abusive behaviour without fear of consequences, while survivors may lose trust in the justice system. The inability to secure convictions exacerbates the emotional and psychological damage suffered by survivors and normalises harmful behaviour within the community.
SuggestionsforBojanalaLegalAdviceCentre
Expand Financial Resilience Programs: Offering financial literacy and skills development programs could help survivors gain economic independence,reducingrelianceonabusivepartners.
Strengthen Legal and Psychological Support: Increasing access to legal aid and mental health support could improve outcomes for survivors,helpingthemrebuildtheirlives.
Community Education: Raising awareness about psychological and economicabusecouldencourageearlierreportingofabuse,helping survivorsseekhelpbeforetheviolenceescalates.
Collaborate on Social Protection Measures: Working with national organisations to strengthen social safety nets could ensure survivors havethefinancialresourcesneededtoleaveabusiverelationships.
Conclusion
Thefindingsofthisreporthighlighttheongoingchallengesfacedbythe Bojanala community in addressing GBV and socio-economic issues. Economic violence affects a significant portion of the population, and financial struggles impact nearly all households, which is greater than national averages and makes it difficult for survivors to gain independence. The low conviction rates for both sexual and psychological
GBV are lower than national figures, underscoring the need for stronger legal interventions and support systems. Without effective programs aimed at economic empowerment, legal support, and GBV prevention, the cycles of abuse and poverty in this community are likely to persist, making it harder for survivors to escape abusive situations. Targeted efforts are essential for fostering safety and independence for those affected.
