The Zambia Police Service has revealed a worrying rise in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases, with a total of 11,177 incidents recorded countrywide in the first quarter of 2025—representing a 15.2% increase from the 9,700 cases reported during the same period last year.
According to a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer Rae Hamoonga, 64% of the reported cases were criminal, while the remaining 36% were non-criminal.
Among the most severe incidents, 29 GBV-related murders were recorded, matching figures from the first quarter of 2024.
Out of the total cases, 2,474 victims were children, with a staggering 85.8% of their cases classified as criminal. The majority of these victims—73.4%—were girls, underscoring the disproportionate vulnerability of female children to abuse.
Adults made up 77.8% of all GBV victims, with 82.6% of them being women. Only 17.4% of adult victims were male, indicating the ongoing gender imbalance in GBV victimization.
Physical abuse topped the list of GBV forms, with 3,881 cases, most of which were Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (OABH). This marks a 7.6% increase from the 3,041 cases reported in Q1 of 2024. Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of OABH cases at 727, followed by Western and Copperbelt provinces.
A total of 941 sexual offences were reported—slightly fewer than last year’s 972. Of these, child defilement remained the most prevalent, with 667 cases, of which 99.4% involved girl victims. Lusaka, Eastern, and Southern provinces topped the list of regions with the highest number of child defilement reports.
Other sexual offences included:
112 rape cases
24 attempted rape
62 cases of indecent assault
22 cases of incest
The first quarter also saw 2,029 cases of economic abuse, primarily involving failure to provide for basic needs and neglect.
Additionally, 316 cases of emotional and psychological abuse were reported, with most victims again being women.
The Zambia Police’s Victim Support Unit provided counseling to over 10,000 individuals, including victims and offenders.
Authorities say the rise in cases may partly reflect increased public trust in the system, but also signals the need for more robust prevention strategies.
The Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting GBV through: Public education, improved reporting channels, Stakeholder collaboration, expanded victim support services
Police are urging citizens to continue reporting GBV cases and to partner with law enforcement to ensure justice and safety for all, especially women and children
By Cherish Sibote
