A national survey conducted by the Women’s Action Campaign (WAC) in South Africa, in response to the sexual violence committed by Hamas on 7 October 2023, has found that a quarter of South Africans believe that rape can be justified in a war.
In a country with extreme levels of gender-based violence (GBV), the survey wanted to explore whether South Africans are ignorant or not worried about the events, and if they believe rape can be used as a weapon of war.
The most alarming of the survey’s key findings may be that despite a majority of 73% believing rape can never be justified, 25% of South Africans who took part in the poll said rape can be justified in wartime.
“The public is profoundly concerned by the rate of GBV with 97.3% of all respondents believing that GBV and rape are a problem. Almost one in two people know someone who has been a victim of GBV or rape,” the report said.
The report also notes SA’s culture of silence around sexual violence where survivors are not always believed that they were raped, making it difficult for suspects to be arrested.
A majority of 89.6% of respondents agreed that victims of rape should be supported regardless of their race, culture, religion, or gender.
Pictured above: Full findings of the survey can be found at https://www.womensactioncampaignsa.org/survey-results
Image source: WAC South Africa
