The Zambia Police Service has recorded 6,114 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) cases countrywide during the third quarter of 2018, indicating an increase of 1,018 cases from last year.

Last year, 5,096 cases were recorded during the same period.

In a statement issued, Thursday, police public relations officer Esther Katongo stated that a total of 664 cases of child defilement were recorded, out of which three cases were against boys, while 661 were against girls.

She further stated that Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases, totalling 320.

And Katongo stated that Southern Province recorded 73 cases; Central Province 63; Eastern Province 60 and Copperbelt Province 49 cases.

“Lusaka Province recorded the highest number of child defilement cases with 320 translating to 48.2 per cent of the child defilement cases reported countrywide; Southern Province recorded 73 cases translating to 11.0 per cent, followed by Central Province with 63 cases or 9.5 per cent; Eastern Province had 60 cases or 9 per cent, and Copperbelt Province recorded 49 cases translating to 7.4 percent,” Katongo stated.

“Other provinces include; Western and North-Western provinces, both with 29 cases each translating to 4.4 per cent, Muchinga had 17 cases or 2.6 per cent; Luapula had 14 cases or 2.1 per cent; Tazara had five cases, which is 0.8 per cent; Northern Province recorded four cases representing 0.6 per cent, while Airports Division recorded one case representing 0.2 per cent.”

Meanwhile, Katongo stated that a total of 124 cases were reports of rape, while 23 cases were attempted rape.

She further stated that the country recorded 37 cases of indecent assault, out of which two were against male adults, 26 against female adults and nine against girls.

She stated that 12 cases of incest were reported countrywide.

“Further on sexual offences, the country recorded 37 cases of indecent assault translating to 0.6 per cent of the total reported GBV cases out of which two were against male adults, 26 against female adults and nine against girls. 12 cases of incest involving six female adults and six girls were reported countrywide,” she added.

Katongo disclosed that 25 GBV-related murder cases were reported, adding that 2,094 cases of assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm (ABH) were recorded countrywide.

“24 GBV-related murder cases were reported translating to 0.4 per cent of the total reported cases out of which 11 victims were female adults representing, five were male adult victims, five girls, while three were boys. 2,094 cases of assault occasioning Actual Bodily Harm were recorded countrywide representing 34 per cent of the total reported cases out of which1,586 were female victims while 508 were males representing 75.7 per cent and 24.3 per cent respectively,” she stated.

Katongo stated that Central Province recorded the highest cases of assault totalling 573.

“Central Province recorded the highest reported Assault OAHB cases with 573 cases translating to 27.4 per cent, followed by Eastern Province with 344 cases representing 16.4 per cent, then Lusaka Province, which recorded 336 cases representing 16 per cent. Other provinces are Copperbelt with 228 cases or 10.9 per cent, Western, 199 cases which is 9.5 per cent, North-Western, 126 cases or 6 per cent, Southern had 115 cases translating to 5.5 per cent, Muchinga, 78 cases translating to 3.7 per cent, Luapula and Tazara Divisions recorded 30 cases each translating to 1.4 per cent, while Northern Province recorded 26 cases or 1.2 percent and Airport Division recorded the lowest with nine cases of the total reported assault OABH cases,” she stated.

Katongo disclosed that during the same period under review, two cases of human trafficking were recorded in Luapula Province involving two females.

“486 cases were for failing to provide necessaries reported GBV cases while neglecting to provide food etc. for children had 200 reports. A comparison with the third quarter of 2017, 416 defilement cases were reported compared to 664 in 2018 third quarter translating to an increase of 248 cases. There were 1,644 cases of Assault OABH in 2017, during the period under review compared to 2,094 in 2018 and this indicates an increase by 450,” stated Katongo.

“17 GBV-related murder cases were reported in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 24 cases in third quarter of 2018 showing an increase by seven cases. The continued rise in cases of GBV may be attributed to many interventions put in place by the Police Victim Support Unit and other stakeholders in combating the vice.”