Standing With Survivors,
Ending SGBV
Press Releases
Official Statements from Action Against Sexual Violence
This page contains formal press releases, policy announcements, and public position statements issued by AASEV. Here you will find verified information regarding our advocacy milestones, partnerships, research publications, and responses to national developments related to sexual and gender-based violence.
For media professionals: All materials are available for publication. For interview requests, official comments, or high-resolution assets, please contact our Communications Team at aasevzambi@gmail.com
GIRL SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND KILLED IN CHASEFU
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONCERNING THE GIRL WHO WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND KILLED IN CHASEFU - December 8, 2025 A CALL TO ACTION: ENDING THE DEADLY LINK BETWEEN HARMFUL MYTHS AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE The recent horrific murder and defilement of a 12-year-old girl in Chasefu District is horrific and unacceptable. According to police reports, the 26-year-old suspect confessed to committing this unspeakable act because he was instructed to do so by a traditional healer, who promised him riches in return. This is a premeditated act born from a poisonous and predatory myth. This tragedy is not an isolated incident, it's a stark example of a wider, more insidious crisis. It confirms that certain traditional healers are significant drivers of sexual violence, especially the defilement of children, through the dangerous myths they sell. These myths, that sleeping with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS and that ritual acts with a child can bring wealth, are direct incitements to sexual violence. They provide a twisted justification for predators and target the most vulnerable among us: our children. This is precisely why, during the national protests this past April, our demands went beyond the obvious. Alongside calling for laws to arrest family members who conceal cases of sexual violence, we explicitly demanded legislation to ensure that traditional healers who instruct or enable such crimes are prosecuted as accomplices. A healer who tells a client to commit defilement for riches is an architect of rape and murder. The law must recognize this and hold them fully accountable for the violence they set in motion. We therefore reiterate our urgent call to the government: treat our petition with the grave seriousness it demands. We expect and demand that the government make all convenient haste to enact these specific laws: to criminalize the act of instructing, advising, or promising mystical benefits for the commission of any form of sexual violence, with severe penalties for any practitioner-traditional or otherwise—who does so. Our children and all vulnerable members of society deserve this protection. The Chasefu case is a deafening alarm bell that cannot be ignored. TO THE PUBLIC: REJECT THE MYTHS, Embrace The Truth To anyone who may be tempted by these deadly falsehoods, hear this clear message: There is no charm to riches except through hard work and smart work. There is no mystical cure for diseases like HIV/AIDS; effective treatment and management are found only at certified hospitals and clinics, through verified medical science. David Chishimba Executive Director Action Against Sexual Violence
ANOTHER GIRL SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AND KILLED IN CHASEFU
OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE (AASEV) ON THE GRUESOME SGBV INCIDENTS IN CHASEFU DISTRICT. - Decenber 14, 2025 We are utterly devastated and outraged by the two horrific incidents of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) reported from Chasefu District. The defilement and murder of a 12-year-old girl in October, and the recent defilement and murder of a 4-year-old girl by her own father, represent an unspeakable depth of inhumaness and violence. Our hearts break for the victims, their grieving families, and the traumatized communities. It is a profound tragedy that one of these atrocities occurred just days before the commencement of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, and the other emerged just as the campaign period concludes. This timing is a stark reminder that this scourge does not adhere to a calendar to period. It continues to plague our nation every single day, ending innocent lives, inflicting permanent trauma, and tearing at the very fabric of our communities. These cases are a clear indication that change will not come from a short, seasonal period of activism alone. Our fight against SGBV is not a sprint; it is a marathon that demands sustained, relentless, and unwavering commitment 365 days a year. In the face of such a serious scourge, we must move beyond reactive shock and grief. While we demand swift justice for the perpetrators through the courts, we urgently call for a monumental shift in our collective approach. We urge the Government, Civil Society Organizations, traditional leaders, faith-based institutions, and the general public to intensify efforts towards prevention. It is far better, and more humane, to prevent these crimes from happening than to be more reactive, punitive, and recovery-oriented. In these two cases, and in so many others, recovery is impossible; lives are lost forever. We must mobilize, more especially , local resources and foster sustainable, systematic, and integrated efforts to ensure comprehensive and systemic change. This includes strengthening community awareness and watch groups, supporting local counseling services, and ensuring traditional and religious leaders are allies and pillars of protection, not perpetration or silence. Let us not have a laissez-faire attitude. We owe this to the memory of these two innocent girls, and to every child, woman or man who deserves to live in safety and without fear. Enough is enough. The marathon for a safer Zambia continues now. #EndSGBV #NotASprintButAMarathon #ProtectOurChildren #PreventionNow David Chishimba
MESSAGE FROM ASSEV AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF MENS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH.
image: David Chishimba
Executive Director - Action Against Sexual Violence.
MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH MONTH. BREAKING THE SILENCE: YOUR MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS. - May 31, 2025 As we commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, let's shine a light on the silent crisis affecting our society. Mental illness is a growing concern, with alarming statistics: - Chainama Hills Hospital recorded 10,000 new patients between January and April 2025, averaging 333 patients per day. - University Teaching Hospital (UTH) sees 210 mental illness cases weekly, mostly among young people. - Approximately 20% of Zambians experience mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The Challenge: Our country faces a severe shortage of mental health professionals, with only 3 psychiatrists and 760 mental health professionals serving our population. *Let's Work Together:* We can create a more compassionate community by: - Prioritizing mental well-being - Encouraging open conversations about mental health - Seeking help when needed *You Matter:* If you're struggling, don't hesitate to reach out to: - Local health centers - Counselors - Support groups Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Let's break the stigma and work towards a healthier, more supportive Zambia. There's help available, and you are not alone
INSTITUTIONAL FAILURE BY SYSTEMS SUCH HEALTH CARE IN RELATION TO SURVIVORS DUE TO THEIR CONDITIONS SUCH AS DISABILITY, STATUS AND LITERYC LEVELS.
image: Right to left:
David Chishimba: Executive Director - AASEV
Mary Mbewe: Survivors SIter
Karen Lewis: Member - AASEV
DEFILEMENT/RAPE: INSTITUTIONAL FAILURE AND THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE AND SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS THE TRAGEDY OF JOYCE. - November 15, 2025. After our visitation at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), I was left broken by the state in which some perpetrators had left Joyce (real name withheld for security and protection of the victim). My colleague Karen could not hold back her tears as we stood by Joyce’s bedside.😭 Joyce is a kind, innocent and gentle young woman living with a mental disability and epilepsy. She has a history of running away from home for long periods, and tragically, during these absences, she often falls prey to sexual predators. As a result of repeated assaults, she contracted multiple infections, including HIV and syphilis.😥 During the most recent incident, Joyce was brutally raped, beaten, and dumped in a shallow grave, left for dead. Her face was disfigured, two teeth were knocked out, and she barely clung to life. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FAILURES Joyce was rushed to UTH, where doctors managed to save her life. However, despite clear signs of sexual assault, critical medical procedures were not conducted: - No DNA samples were collected as evidence of rape. - She was not tested for sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy, despite her mother stating that she was raped. - Her HIV treatment was not reviewed, and essential tests such as CD4 count and viral load were taken. - She was discharged while still unable to walk. This neglect is not just a failure of one hospital but a reflection of systemic institutional shortcomings in responding to sexual violence, persons living with disabilities and from poor backgrounds. Victims are too often treated without care, their rights and dignity often disregarded. COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HOPE When UTH failed Joyce, it was individuals who stepped in. Karen and Joyce’s mother, God bless their compassionate hearts, secured a wheelchair for her. Later, with the help of Linda and Elizabeth from Zambean Coffee Ltd, we managed to take Joyce to Teba Healthcare Center, a private facility. There, she finally received the comprehensive medical tests and care that were long overdue. Today, her conditions are being managed and treated, giving her a renewed chance at life. CALL TO ACTION Joyce’s story is not an isolated case, it reflects the daily experiences of many victims of sexual violence in Zambia. Institutional negligence denies survivors justice, healing, and dignity. We must demand accountability from our healthcare and justice systems. At present, Joyce urgently needs a safe home where she can be protected and supported as she continues to recover. The fear is that if she goes away from her home, she may run into the people who tried to k!ll her and they may attempt to finish what they started for fear of being identified. Secondly, she may also experience sexual assault again. If you have any information or resources to assist in finding a secure home for her, kindly contact numbers below. Your support could help restore hope and dignity to her life. Together, we must ensure that victims of sexual violence are not failed twice, first by the very institutions meant to protect them and secondly by society. David Chishimba Action Again Sexual Violence Executive Director. 0966531998/0779089151 SEXUAL VIOLENCE, BARBARIANS AND INSTITUTIONS FAILURE TOWARDS VICTIMS After our visitation at University Teaching Hospital, I was left broken after seeing the state in which some heartless people had left Joyce (real name withheld security and protection of victim). My colleague Karen, couldn't help but break down and dropped tears a few times while we were visiting the victim at UTH. Joyce is a kind and gentle person living with a mental disability and epilepsy. She usually runs away from home for months and gets raped by perpetrators during these periods. That is how she contracted HIV and syphilis. During the last incident, she was raped, beaten and left for dead in a shallow grave. Her face was completely disfigured, and two teeth have been knocked out. She was rushed to UTH, where her life was saved. However, they never took DNA samples as evidence for rape, neither was she tested for infections or pregnancy despite her mother emphasizing that she was sexually assaulted. She had stopped taking ARVs when she ran away from home, despite this, they also never checked her CD4 count or viral load to put her back on medication. She was simply discharged even though she could barely walk. Karen and her mother, God bless their souls, provided a wheelchair. When she left UTH, with the help of Linda, we managed to take her to Teba Healthcare Center, a private hospital, for Comprehensive tests to be conducted. They did an amazing job which led to her recovery. Her conditions are being treated at the moment. We are currently looking for safe home for her. Kindly contact the following numbers if you have any information concerning this. Thank you very much in advance. David Chishimba Executive Director Action Against Sexual Violence
Defilement case concealed by relatives, exposed by uncle to of the survivor.
image: Mwala Mooto
AASEV STANDS WITH THE SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE: WE SEE YOU, WE BELIEVE YOU, AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU. - October 21, 2025. To the Brave Young girl: Your story has shaken us to our core. The depth of cruelty and betrayal you have endured is unspeakable. To have your trust shattered, your body violated, your future jeopardized, and your spirit broken by the very people who were meant to protect you is a profound injustice that fills us with disgust and anger. You were brought from your village with a promise of education, only to be subjected to years of horrific abuse. Your courage in speaking out is the first, most powerful step toward reclaiming your life. We want you to know one thing above all else: This was not your fault and that justice will be served. To Mwala mooto: In a world where silence is often the easier path, your conscience has made you a hero. You have chosen moral courage over family convenience, and justice over peace. We sympathize with the immense personal conflict and risk you feel. The pressure from family, the fear of reprisals, and the weight of this secret are a heavy burden to carry alone. You are not a traitor; you are a beacon of integrity. You expressed a specific fear that your brother-in-law's "dangerous friends" might come for you. We want to assure you of this: You are not alone, and a clear conscience is the strongest shield. You are not acting out of malice or persecuting an innocent man. You are standing for truth and for a child who was grievously wronged. Nothing will happen to you because you are not doing wrong to anyone; you are demanding right for someone and God himself cannot let anything happen to someone who protects the weak. To the Family Members Who Chose Silence: Your actions are a devastating secondary betrayal. To know of a child's suffering and to "sit on the issue" or seek to "charge him" privately is to become complicit in her agony. You prioritized the reputation of a grown man over the shattered life of a young girl. This is a profound failure of your duty to protect the most vulnerable among you. We urge you to search your souls and understand that true family loyalty means shielding the innocent, not the guilty. Justice is Possible: How AASEV Will Help Secure a Conviction The police's inaction and incorrect initial assessment are unacceptable, but they are not the end of the road. AASEV specializes in building complex cases of sexual and gender-based violence from the ground up, and we are prepared to take immediate action. We want to assure you and the victim that we can and will assist in building a formidable case to secure a conviction. The pattern of abuse described constitutes multiple, serious criminal offenses under Zambian law. We will work to consolidate all evidence and witness accounts into an undeniable case for the prosecution. Our strength lies in our collaboration. AASEV has formal collaborations with the relevant government institutions at the national level, including: · The Zambia Police Service: Including the Victim Support Unit (VSU) and the Child Protection Unit. · The Child Justice Forum. · The Ministry of Justice / National Prosecution Authority (NPA). · The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. This united front ensures your case receives the attention, expertise, and urgency it demands. A Call to Action: Let Us Step In Mwala Mooto, you have carried this burden long enough. You have done your part with immense bravery. Now, let us do ours. We urgently request you, or anyone close to you and the victim, to get in touch with Action Against Sexual Violence (AASEV) immediately. Please contact us at 0966531998/0779089151 or email us at aasevzambia@gmail.com]. All communication will be treated with the strictest confidence. Together, we can ensure that this young woman’s cry for justice does not fade into silence. We can hold the perpetrators accountable and send a powerful message that in Zambia, no one is above the law, and no victim should be left behind. David Chishimba Executive Director - Action Against Sexual Violence (AASEV)
SHE WAS RAPED BY HER HUSBAND. IS IT CRIME? ARE THERE LAWS TO PROTECT VICTIMS?
image: Chungu Chintelelwe
Courtesy: News Diggers
ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESPONSE ON MARITAL RAPE. December 7, 2025 MARITAL RAPE IS A CRIME: BREAKING THE SILENCE AND SUPPORTING SURVIVORS THE UNCHANGING RIGHT TO DIGNITY AND SAFETY Every person, regardless of relationship status, deserves to live with safety, dignity, and bodily autonomy. Central to this is the principle of consent—which is not a one-time agreement, but an ongoing, active, and reversible process that must be respected at every moment, including within marriage. THE LEGAL POSITION: MARITAL RAPE IS A CRIME IN ZAMBIA It is crucial to recognize that since a landmark 2018 High Court ruling, marital rape is a criminal offense in Zambia. The court decisively removed the outdated spousal exemption, affirming that consent must be respected in all relationships. Despite this legal progress, widespread ignorance of this change persists, leaving many survivors without the protection and justice the law now guarantees. SOLIDARITY WITH SURVIVORS We extend our full support and solidarity to actress Chungu Chintelelwe for courageously sharing her experience during the 16 Days of Activism. Her story powerfully exposes how harmful myths and institutional barriers continue to fail survivors, even when the law is on their side. A MESSAGE TO SURVIVORS To anyone who has endured similar trauma: you are not alone, you are not at fault, and your experience is valid. What happened to you is a violation. Support is available, and healing begins with being heard and believed
DRESS CODE, TRADITIONS, MORALITY AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE
image: FREEPIK
IS DRESS CODE A MAIN DRIVER OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE? November 17, 2025. There are many reasons why the fight against sexual violence hasn't been as successful as we would hope for, but it's very easy for someone who hasn't done research, uses their own opinion and doesn't understand the technicalities of issues surrounding sexual violence to assume that failure to address the issue of dress code is one of the main reasons why the campaign against sexual violence hasn't yielded much fruits. The argument that dress code is a primary cause of sexual violence is not true and neither is it supported by research and fundamentally misplaces responsibility. One thing that one needs to understand is that dress code doesn't turn someone into a sexual offender. If a person who sees someone whom they think is indecently dressed automatically thinks of raping them, that person was already a rapist and probably just needed an excuse. Therefore, blaming dress code for sexual violence, whichever way you look at it, is shifting blame from the perpetrator to the victim. Our best hope of winning the fight is to ensure that both men and women fully understand the concept consent. Men can also be survivors and that the principles of consent and perpetrator accountability apply equally in those cases. Therefore, true prevention focuses on stopping perpetrators before they act, not on restricting the freedom and autonomy of potential victims. It is important to also note that while dress code may be addressed as a separate societal issue to ensure decency in line with culture, values, and traditions, it is a separate matter entirely from the causes of sexual violence. Conflating the two is not only incorrect but also dangerous. Evidence shows that the real challenges slowing progress include: 1. Weak coordination among government institutions, civil society, and the public. 2. Inadequate resources: transport for victims, support for affected families, and staffing shortages. 3. Insufficient legal frameworks and enforcement capacity. 2. ON CLAIMS THAT WOMEN USE THE FIGHT AGAINST GBV TO SPREAD HATE AGAINST MEN GBV is an emotional and traumatic issue, and survivors may understandably feel anger or resentment. These individuals need support and counselling, not to be used as representatives of the entire movement. We therefore urge individuals such as Tiza Mukuka, who present themselves as activists, to research the subject thoroughly before spreading misinformation that undermines the very cause we are fighting for. David Chishimba Executive Director: Action Against Sexual Violence
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR AASEV MAKES CALL TO ACTION FOR THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GBV.
image: David Chishimba
Executive Director - Action Against Sexual Violence.
A CALL TO ACTION: LAUNCHING OUR 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE - WITH A FOCUS ON DIGITAL VIOLENCE. - November 25, 2025 Team, Partners, and Friends, Today, we unite to mark the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year, we spotlight a critical and growing threat: digital violence. Our collective call to action is to create a safe online world for everyone. From online harassment and cyberstalking to non-consensual image sharing, the digital realm is able to inflict real-world harm. Our campaign is a commitment to confronting these abuses head-on. Our guiding principle is clear and inclusive: Our fight is not against men, but against perpetrators of violence, regardless of their gender. While digital abuse disproportionately impacts women and girls, it can target anyone. Therefore, our mission is to protect all people, women, girls, men, and boys, by uniting against the perpetrators and the systems that enable this harm. To succeed, our shared voice must be both powerful and precise. Here is how we can unite for impact: 1. Educate and Share: Disseminate resources on how to identify, report, and prevent digital violence, ensuring our messaging is accurate and survivor-centered. 2. Challenge Harmful Actions: Call out digital abuse when you see it. We must hold perpetrators accountable, not generalize or blame entire groups. 3. Amplify All Survivors: Listen to and center the experiences of all those affected, because any person can be a victim, and every survivor deserves support. This year, let our collective action send a clear message: the digital world must be a place of safety and respect for all. I am counting on each of us to be an ambassador of this unified cause. Thank you for your unwavering dedication. In solidarity, David Chishimba Executive Director Action Against Sexual Violence
WE NEED TO ENSURE UNIVERSAL PROECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL VIOLENCE, REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER.
*OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM ACTION AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONCERNING A VIRAL VIDEO OF CHILD DEFILEMENT* *THE INCIDENT AND ITS REACH* We are issuing this statement in response to a deeply concerning viral video, reportedly originating outside Zambia but now circulating widely on Zambian social media. The footage depicts a sexual encounter between a teacher and a male student. The rapid spread of this content within our national discourse directly influences public perception, normalizes the abuse of minors, and demands our immediate, principled response. *THE LEGAL AND MORAL IMPERATIVE* Under Zambian law, any sexual activity with a person below the age of 16 constitutes DEFILEMENT. This is a non-negotiable legal standard designed to protect all children from exploitation and severe psychological harm. The geographic origin of the incident does not diminish this reality or our duty to condemn it unequivocally. *THE OVERLOOKED PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT* Public reactions trivializing or mocking this crime are dangerously misguided. This violation by a person in authority can cause lifelong trauma, confusion, and harmful behavioral patterns, potentially derailing a child's education and future. We must not be a society that jokes about a child’s trauma today and blames them for its consequences tomorrow. *CONFRONTING THE GENDERED DOUBLE STANDARD* If this video depicted a 13-year-old girl, the public would instantly recognize her as a groomed and exploited victim. Our perception of victimhood must not be gendered. All children, regardless of gender, are equally vulnerable and equally deserving of our unwavering protection and empathy. *A CALL TO ACTION DURING 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM* The timing of this viral spread is particularly stark. We are currently in the midst of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This period calls for reflection, solidarity, and action. The circulation and trivialization of this video contradict the very principles we champion. Now is the moment to stand firmly against all acts of sexual violence, especially those targeting children. *OUR DIRECT CALL* We therefore call on the public, media, and authorities to: 1. RECOGNIZE AND CONDEMN this as the serious crime of defilement it is. 2. EXTEND EQUAL EMPATHY to this male victim, challenging gendered biases. 3. STOP SHARING THE VIDEO to end the re-victimization of the child. 4. USE THIS MOMENT within the 16 Days of Activism to reaffirm a consistent, unwavering fight against child sexual abuse. *OUR UNEQUIVOCAL STAND* Defilement is defilement. Rape is rape. Our commitment to ending sexual violence must protect EVERY CHILD, without exception. David Chishimba Executive Director Action Against Sexual Violence
Under Zambian law, a boy under the age of 12 years cannot be convicted of rape no matter the evidence available.
LEGAL FACT: AGE & CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY IN ZAMBIA. - December 26, 2025 Under Zambian law (Section 11 of the Juveniles Act), a child below the age of 12 is legally considered incapable of committing a crime. This means: ✅A boy under 12 cannot be arrested, prosecuted, or convicted in a criminal court for any offense, including rape, no matter how strong the evidence or if it's a repeat offense. What happens instead? The child is handled by social welfare and child protection services, not the police or courts. The focus is on counseling, rehabilitation, and family supervision, not criminal punishment. This is the current law. It’s important for our communities to understand this to manage expectations about how such serious cases involving very young children are legally required to be handled. ⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The information shared above is for general educational and awareness purposes only. It is a summary of existing Zambian law and is not intended as legal advice