Policy Brief on Management of Sexual Offence Cases in Beitbridge: Increasing Access to Justice for Vulnerable Women and Girls, Especially Survivors of SGBV in Beitbridge District

Examines how SGBV cases are managed in Beitbridge District, drawing on community and stakeholder dialogues in Wards 3, 5 and 15 (1,040 participants). Documents barriers at family, community and institutional levels, highlights cross-border trafficking risk, and proposes community-driven, survivor-centred solutions.

·      Perpetrators are predominantly family members, and families often favour out-of-court settlements.

·      Incest is reported as rampant and linked to local cultural practices.

·      The police and Victim Friendly Unit are severely under-resourced.

·      Court processes are undermined by withdrawals, witness interference, magistrate turnover and lenient sentences.

·      Traditional leaders often collude in cover-ups and lack a gendered approach.

·      Make duty bearers survivor-sensitive and reconsider harmful cultural practices.

·      Strengthen NPA and JSC efficiency and impose deterrent sentencing.

·      Empower women and girls to identify early warning signs of abuse.

·      Reform the traditional justice system to support rather than harm survivors.

·      Emulate holistic, survivor-centred models such as South Africa's.