GBV: Women continue to withdraw abuse cases for financial, family reasons
As Namibia observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the Namibian Police Force continues to grapple with a growing trend of victims withdrawing abuse cases after reporting incidents, mostly for economic dependence on the abuser.
Other reasons cited are family pressure, and concern for children, complicating efforts to secure justice and protect survivors.
Last week on Desert Radio, Katima Mulilo police station commander, Inspector Charles Mayumbelo, narrated a story of a severely injured woman who had reported an assault by her husband but later returned, asking that the suspect be released because he was the family’s breadwinner.
Officers refused the request, emphasising that the police “protect victims, not punish suspects on request or release them prematurely.”
Mayumbelo noted that the Zambezi Region recorded more than 300 GBV cases in the past year, and withdrawals remain one of the biggest obstacles to securing justice and preventing further harm.
Case details illustrate the challenges
He explained that the woman had arrived at the station in such critical condition that officers had to lift her and take her to the hospital for treatment before she opened a case. She returned the following day, still unable to walk properly, seeking to withdraw it.
“While police cannot force a victim to proceed, we may intervene to safeguard a complainant when her life is clearly at risk,” Mayumbelo said. “We had a similar case where a woman was brought in and later killed. We have to intervene.”
Although officers do not have the authority to block a withdrawal, they can seek guidance from the courts to protect themselves and the complainant. “These are powerless people,” he added.
Mayumbelo explained that withdrawals follow a formal process. A complainant may request a withdrawal, but it does not occur automatically. “It has to go up to the court. The court decides whether to allow withdrawal, taking into account the seriousness of the case.”
He also addressed the woman’s expectation that police “whip” her husband and release him - a demand he described as unlawful. “We operate within the framework of the law. Immediately whipping someone would also be committing a crime.”
Victims often fear retaliation, experience pressure from extended family, or worry about financial support. Many remain in abusive relationships out of fear of being killed once the suspect is released.
These patterns, Mayumbelo added, are further exacerbated by unstable relationships, infidelity, and social expectations surrounding marriage and loyalty. “A person you love, you will never harm. But this is what is happening,” he said.
Community events highlight technology-facilitated GBV
At a separate community activation event held at the HISA Centre in Tobias Hainyeko Constituency on 4 December, partners and practitioners highlighted similar concerns. Organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare with UNFPA, supported by the European Union, and in collaboration with HISA Namibia and the United Nations in Namibia, the event addressed the growing problem of technology-facilitated GBV, including cyberstalking, online harassment, intimate-image abuse, hate speech, and doxing.
From a policing perspective, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stressed that allegations of officers advising victims to “deal with issues privately” remain unverified, after a similar one was made last week after a woman was killed by her lover at Katima Mulilo. The victim visited the police station but was allegedly told to go sort out her differences with her boyfriend – who ended up killing her.
Shikwambi reiterated that Nampol is a professional institution trained to handle GBV cases and urged the public to report any improper conduct. She also outlined the withdrawal process, noting that the seriousness of each case guides decisions, with final authority resting with the courts.
Other reasons cited are family pressure, and concern for children, complicating efforts to secure justice and protect survivors.
Last week on Desert Radio, Katima Mulilo police station commander, Inspector Charles Mayumbelo, narrated a story of a severely injured woman who had reported an assault by her husband but later returned, asking that the suspect be released because he was the family’s breadwinner.
Officers refused the request, emphasising that the police “protect victims, not punish suspects on request or release them prematurely.”
Mayumbelo noted that the Zambezi Region recorded more than 300 GBV cases in the past year, and withdrawals remain one of the biggest obstacles to securing justice and preventing further harm.
Case details illustrate the challenges
He explained that the woman had arrived at the station in such critical condition that officers had to lift her and take her to the hospital for treatment before she opened a case. She returned the following day, still unable to walk properly, seeking to withdraw it.
“While police cannot force a victim to proceed, we may intervene to safeguard a complainant when her life is clearly at risk,” Mayumbelo said. “We had a similar case where a woman was brought in and later killed. We have to intervene.”
Although officers do not have the authority to block a withdrawal, they can seek guidance from the courts to protect themselves and the complainant. “These are powerless people,” he added.
Mayumbelo explained that withdrawals follow a formal process. A complainant may request a withdrawal, but it does not occur automatically. “It has to go up to the court. The court decides whether to allow withdrawal, taking into account the seriousness of the case.”
He also addressed the woman’s expectation that police “whip” her husband and release him - a demand he described as unlawful. “We operate within the framework of the law. Immediately whipping someone would also be committing a crime.”
Victims often fear retaliation, experience pressure from extended family, or worry about financial support. Many remain in abusive relationships out of fear of being killed once the suspect is released.
These patterns, Mayumbelo added, are further exacerbated by unstable relationships, infidelity, and social expectations surrounding marriage and loyalty. “A person you love, you will never harm. But this is what is happening,” he said.
Community events highlight technology-facilitated GBV
At a separate community activation event held at the HISA Centre in Tobias Hainyeko Constituency on 4 December, partners and practitioners highlighted similar concerns. Organised by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare with UNFPA, supported by the European Union, and in collaboration with HISA Namibia and the United Nations in Namibia, the event addressed the growing problem of technology-facilitated GBV, including cyberstalking, online harassment, intimate-image abuse, hate speech, and doxing.
From a policing perspective, Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi stressed that allegations of officers advising victims to “deal with issues privately” remain unverified, after a similar one was made last week after a woman was killed by her lover at Katima Mulilo. The victim visited the police station but was allegedly told to go sort out her differences with her boyfriend – who ended up killing her.
Shikwambi reiterated that Nampol is a professional institution trained to handle GBV cases and urged the public to report any improper conduct. She also outlined the withdrawal process, noting that the seriousness of each case guides decisions, with final authority resting with the courts.
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