Child abuse and partner violence figures are higher than national study shows - researcher

While the National Gender-Based Violence Prevalence Study suggests that 42% of children have experienced some form of abuse from a caregiver or parent, the Children's Institute at the University of Cape Town (UCT) said this figure is actually much higher.

Lucy Jamieson, a senior researcher at the institute and editor of the new research publication, the South African Child Gauge, said that community-based studies provided a more worrying picture.

"The reported levels are far higher. So roughly one in two women report having experienced intimate partner violence. The same is true when you come to children. In those, community-based studies show that over 90% of children [are] experiencing some form of witnessing violence."

Jamieson was speaking following the launch of the latest edition of the South African Child Gauge.

The new publication highlights promising practices, such as gender-transformative programmes, that can help promote healthier, non-violent relationships in families, schools, and communities.

Jamieson also stressed the urgent need to prioritise trauma-informed approaches.

"We need to join forces in order to put pressure on National Treasury to invest in prevention services. So, [it’s] a bit of sharing the findings, keeping the conversation going, and then working together jointly to try and make a difference."