The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) has urged the government to adopt and implement evidence-based femicide risk assessment and safety planning tools to combat the country's persistent gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) crisis. According to the SAMRC, successive national femicide studies have shown that many killings are preventable, yet the latest research recorded an increase in the rate of intimate partner femicide. The tools are designed to help women experiencing severe intimate partner violence identify escalating danger and take steps to protect themselves and their children.
South Africa's first National Gender-Based Violence Study found that 35% of women aged 18 and older had experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, representing an estimated 7.85-million women. Almost one in four women had experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence, while men classified as heavy drinkers were almost twice as likely to have perpetrated such violence. The study's findings highlight the need for urgent action to address the root causes of violence against women.
The SAMRC has developed a femicide risk assessment tool and safety plans specifically designed for South African women experiencing intimate partner violence. The easy-to-use, one-page risk-assessment tool is designed to help women determine whether they face a heightened risk of severe violence or femicide. It is accompanied by two forms of safety planning: an emergency plan for women who may need to leave a dangerous situation at short notice, and a longer-term plan for those preparing to leave abusive relationships after considering the implications for themselves and their children.
The tools have been adapted to South African realities and are intended for use across diverse communities. While women can use them independently, the SAMRC recommends that they be administered with the assistance of frontline service providers, including police officers, social workers, healthcare professionals, victim-support services and community-based organisations. According to SAMRC senior specialist scientist Dr Leane Ramsoomar, "Femicide is often preceded by warning signs and missed opportunities for intervention."
The SAMRC is engaging government departments and other stakeholders to support the adoption and implementation of the tools within existing services. Researchers say successful implementation will require training, public awareness, monitoring and closer collaboration between the justice, health and social development sectors, as well as community organisations. The findings have also renewed attention on the role of harmful alcohol consumption in violence against women and children.
The link between harmful alcohol consumption and violence against women and children is particularly concerning, as violence against women and violence against children frequently occur in the same households. The South African Child Gauge 2025 reported that 42% of children had experienced some form of maltreatment by an adult responsible for their care. Harmful alcohol and drug consumption are among the risk factors associated with violence against both women and children.
The calls for greater emphasis on prevention come days after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a four-point emergency response to GBVF and acknowledged that government's efforts to protect women had fallen short. Ramaphosa described violence against women as a source of "profound pain and national shame", following a series of killings that again thrust South Africa's femicide crisis into the spotlight. His address followed the discovery of the bodies of 11 women in Ekurhuleni since July.
Key points
- The SAMRC has developed a femicide risk assessment tool and safety plans to help women experiencing intimate partner violence identify escalating danger and protect themselves.
- South Africa's GBVF crisis persists, with 35% of women aged 18 and older having experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
- The government has announced a four-point emergency response to GBVF, including a national case-recovery operation targeting unresolved murders, attempted murders, rapes and serious sexual offences involving women and children.
