IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

In 2022/23, 19 418 reported cases of common assault and assault with GBH crimes were committed against children, making up about 45,0% of all reported crimes against children in this period. Rape was the most reported crime against children, accounting for 38,3% of all cases involving minors. Although the number of incidents has decreased, it remains a significant concern due to its traumatic impact on young victims.

According to the report titled Child Series Volume III, Reported Crime Against Children 2022/23 released by Statistics South Africa, a significant number of reported crimes against children in South Africa involve sexual offenses, with girls being victimised more frequently than boys.
In most provinces, except for the Western Cape and Northern Cape, rape has consistently been the most prevalent reported crime against children. In the 2022/23 period, Limpopo recorded the highest proportion of rape cases among reported crimes against children at 54,3%, followed by Mpumalanga at 47,6%. Gauteng had the lowest proportion at 35,1%.

Common assault represented 25,8% of cases during the same period. Assault with grievous bodily harm, although less frequent than in previous years, still made up 16,1% of reported incidents. While common assault affected both genders almost equally, boys were predominantly victims of assault with Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) (64,2% in 2022/23), murder (72,0% in 2022/23), and attempted murder (68,4% in 2022/23).

Additionally, kidnapping and child abuse were crimes primarily committed against girls.

While the decline in rape and assault with GBH offers some encouragement, these crimes still represent a significant portion of offences against children.
Child-related crimes predominantly occurred in the afternoon, or in the early hours of the day. Many incidents also happened in the evening, with a peak in the early evening.

Assaults resulting in grievous bodily harm were most commonly committed in the early afternoon against children, while common assaults generally occurred in the afternoon, with a higher frequency in the early part of the afternoon. Attempted murder incidents predominantly happened at night, and child abuse incidents were mostly reported during the morning hours. Child kidnappings were also frequent in the afternoons, particularly in the early part of the day. Murder incidents primarily took place at night, and child rape incidents were mostly nocturnal. Sexual assaults, comprising approximately 60% of cases, predominantly occurred during daylight hours, especially in the early part of the afternoon.

According to the data, there has been an increase in child abuse and kidnapping cases. The percentage of reported child abuse cases rose from 2,6% in 2010/11 to 3,1% in 2022/23, while kidnapping incidents rose from 0,8% to 3,8% over the same period.

Attempted murder and murder, though less frequent, remain severe threats to children’s lives. The rate of attempted murder has nearly doubled from 2010/11 to 2022/23, with a noticeable peak during the Covid-19 pandemic, likely reflecting the broader societal stresses of that period.

The persistently high rates of rape, common assault, and assault with grievous bodily harm, combined with the increasing incidence of child abuse and kidnapping, underscore the need for sustained measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

The report utilises data collected by the South African Police Service (SAPS) during their crime administration activities. The data is shared with Statistics South Africa as part of the existing data sharing agreement. The SAPS release quarterly data on crimes against children, focusing on selected indicators. This report aims to provide detailed information on the types of crimes affecting children aged 0–17, as well as trends over time.

Collecting and publishing data on crimes against children is crucial for several reasons. It raises public awareness about the prevalence and severity of these crimes. It also helps policymakers and legislators understand the scope of the problem, enabling them to create and implement effective laws and policies to protect children. It also ensures that support services, such as counselling and legal assistance, are available where they are most needed.

For more information, download the Child Series Volume III, Reported crime against children 2022/23 here.