Husbands, boyfriends lead in sexual abuse

HUSBANDS and boyfriends are the major contributors of sexual and physical violence cases against women in rural areas, latest statistics have revealed.

Other cases of sexual and physical violence are perpetrated by strangers, former husbands, former boyfriends, family members, relatives, teachers, employers, workmates, police, soldiers, priests and religious church leaders.

According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment Committee (ZimVAC) 2016 report, 59 percent of sexual violence cases reported last year against women were by husbands or partners while seven percent of the cases were by strangers.

At least 51 percent of physical abuse cases against women were by their former husbands and partners.

The report showed that about six percent of rural women have experienced physical violence and two percent experienced sexual violence.

“The most incidences of physical and sexual violence were perpetrated by intimate partners who included husbands and current boyfriends. Current husbands and partners constituted 59 percent of sexual violence and 51 percent of physical violence followed by former husbands and former partners with 23 percent,” read the report.

It pointed out that food insecurity within rural households was one of the main contributors of violence.

Chief Tshitshi of Mangwe area said poverty caused tension within homes which resulted in physical abuse cases.

He said most men resorted to sexually abusing their spouses after being denied conjugal rights.

He said most cases of sexual abuse were accompanied by physical abuse.

“Some men believe that they should be granted sexual intercourse by their spouses at any given time and this is a problem that we usually encounter as traditional leaders. In my area the majority of men work in the diaspora.

“When they return they demand sexual intercourse from their spouses who in turn demand to undergo an HIV test with their spouses first. Most men don’t consent and as a result they forcibly have sexual intercourse with their wives,” he said.

Chief Tshitshi said most men who followed this route first abused their wives physically before violating them sexually.

He said some women were being sexually abused by their spouses but they were reluctant to report.

“It is alarming to learn that women are no longer safe around their spouses. They fear their husband’s more than strangers,” he said.

Chief Bango who is also from Mangwe District said men who were in their early 20s were in the habit of sexually abusing their girlfriends.