In 2004 and 2005, various international human rights and media sources reported that gender-based violence, including domestic and sexual abuse, was an issue of ongoing and increasing concern (The Herald 11 Dec. 2005; ZLHR 23 Nov. 2005; Country Reports 2004 28 Feb. 2005, Sec. 5; Oxfam America 2005; ibid. 21 Jan. 2005; Freedom House 11 Aug. 2005; UN 20 Jan. 2004).