Female Homicidal Strangulation in Urban South Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Suffla Shahnaaz, Van Niekerk Ashley, Arendse Najuwa
Primary Institution: MRC-UNISA Crime, Violence and Injury Lead Programme
Hypothesis
What is the incidence of female strangulation in four South African cities?
Conclusion
The study highlights the need for gender-specific initiatives to address the high rates of female homicidal strangulation in South Africa.
Supporting Evidence
- Female strangulation rates in urban South Africa range from 1.71 to 0.70 per 100,000.
- The highest rates of strangulation were found among women over 60 and those aged 20 to 39.
- Most strangulations occurred during early morning and typical working hours.
Takeaway
This study found that many women in South Africa are killed by strangulation, often by someone they know, and this is a big problem that needs more attention.
Methodology
The study used a register-based cross-sectional investigation of female homicidal strangulation reported in the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System from 2001 to 2005.
Potential Biases
There is a potential bias due to the reliance on reported data from the National Injury Mortality Surveillance System.
Limitations
The study is descriptive and based on limited case numbers, which may restrict the conclusions that can be drawn.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on female victims of strangulation across four major South African cities, with a notable representation of women from various population groups.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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