HEALTH SCIENCES The link between crime and mental health in South Africa Ruth Eister, Dr JD Wagner, Jenny Muller and Shirley Jaftha rime is a concern to all South of 2022 saw a 70.5% increase in were perpetrated mostly by someone Africans regardless of where the murder of women and a 37.2% known to the victim. Cthey live or who they are. In increase in the murder of children. Crime can change the lives of its South Africa, a 9.3% increase in crime Rape has also increased dramatically victims by affecting their mental was reported in the first quarter with almost 11,000 cases reported health negatively, as members of of 2022 with about 6,083 murders to police. The South African Police the Psychiatric Nursing Team in the occurring in this period. Those most report that a ‘staggering’ 4,653 rapes Department of Health Sciences, Ruth affected by crime are the vulnerable took place at the home of the rape Eister, Dr JD Wagner, Jenny Muller and members of society. The first quarter victim or the home of the rapist and Shirley Jaftha, can attest. Members 31 | University of Fort Hare