The 2023 Violence Survey, a collaboration between RCS, BNP Paribas and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), revealed the profound impact of violent crime on the mental health and community well-being of South African employees.
According to TygerBurger, the survey targeted residents living and working in high-risk areas of Cape Town, such as Kraaifontein, Bellville and Kuils River. Individuals working in various industries, including construction, retail, hospitality and financial services, were surveyed in two groups.
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According to Sandy Richardson, a human resources executive, the survey’s goal is to better understand the effects of violence on vulnerable communities and local businesses.
Tonia Pavlou, the chief financial officer of RCS, highlighted South Africa’s distinctive crime challenges, which are linked to stagnant economic growth and the world’s highest Gini coefficient.
The country is beleaguered by wide wealth disparities, high unemployment, low wages and concentrated income at the top.
According to Pavlou, 77% of those polled feel unsafe in their communities, with 85% attributing crime to loadshedding and 83% attributing it to the high cost of living.
The most recent crime statistics show a mixed picture: slight increases in common assault, robbery and other contact crimes, with slight decreases in murders and rapes. However, the number of attempted sexual offences increased by 4.3%.
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South Africa is ranked 130th out of 163 in the 2023 Global Peace Index and 144th in the Safety and Security Index, indicating significant problems with criminality, political instability and violence.
A troubling trend is a 10% drop in cases reported to police, driven by growing distrust in law enforcement.
‘Consumers are leaning towards self-protection over community partnerships in tackling violence,’ explained Siphathisiwe Dhlamini, conflict resolution and peace-building expert at WPDI.
‘Overall, there has been an 8% decrease from 2022 in the impact of violence on the respondents’ physical or mental ability to do their jobs effectively. However, there has been an annual increase of 4% in the impact of violence on general psychological distress.’
Dhlamini noted the survey’s acknowledgement of violence’s significant toll on communities. The data shows that 49% of men and 32% of women experienced job loss or reduced income. Among students, 70% reported frequent absences or tardiness at educational institutions. A staggering 65% of men and 69% of women believed that problems with their physical or mental health were compromising their ability to perform well at work.
In 2023, corporate sectors reported unusually high absenteeism rates. About 58% attributed this to community violence, while 62% linked it to reduced business productivity. Furthermore, 91% observed a heightened impact on employee mental health and well-being compared to the previous year.
Richardson argued for a collaborative approach to addressing violence and supporting victims, involving community members, law enforcement and corporations.
She suggested law enforcement should receive training to approach victims with greater empathy, and corporations should actively foster mental well-being and resilience in society.
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