The Hard Truth

• One in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.
• An average of 146 sexual offence cases are reported daily in SA, most of these being rape.
• Only about 14% of reported cases go to trial and of these, 7% are successful.
• GBV in SA is five times higher than the global average.
• Sarah Baartman (c. 1789 – 1815), also spelled Sara, sometimes in the Dutch diminutive form “Saartje”, was a Khoekhoe woman who was exhibited as a freak show attraction in 19th-century Europe under the name Hottentot Venus, a name that was later attributed to at least one other woman similarly exhibited. Saartjie’s remains were repatriated to SA in 2002 for a proper burial. Today she is a symbol of resilience and many honour her memory - thus the Saartjie Baartman Centre adopted her name.

If you need to report an incident of abuse in South Africa, call:

• the Saartjie Baartman’s WhatsApp number 076 470 9314
• Rape Crisis: 021 4479762

• Lifeline: 0800 150 150

• Childline: 0800 05 55 55 (24h) or 

• the National Shelter Movement Helpline: 0800 001 005.

Read other blogs in the series