10 they were simply being paid or gathering for transport. Some of the members of the militia are locals, while others are said to have been brought from elsewhere to the bases. It is important to note that the militia have been moved out from some of these places by police or army at one time or another and in some places they have shifted several times and are continuing to do so. In some cases the camps were at buildings traditionally used as polling offices, or they were near to polling stations. This was certain to affect the ability of people in the areas concerned to freely cast their vote. Even if militias moved on at the time of voting, the buildings themselves were linked to violence in the minds of local residents, and they would obviously fear visiting them. The Victims Men, women and children have all suffered. Most of the statements taken by the Forum have come from men, but they have often described assaults upon other members of their family. There have been allegations that rape is taking place on a wide scale, although only a few women have reported these themselves. This is a matter of deep concern to the Forum. Rape often remains a hidden crime with women fearing social stigma by coming forward. With high rates of AIDS infection in Zimbabwe, this is particularly worrying. The majority of the people who have been attacked are members of opposition parties living in the rural areas. Statistics produced by The Amani Trust in Bulawayo make a powerful statement of the extent and the nature of the violence up to 6 June 2000. They indicate that more than 13,000 people were affected by political violence, more than 2000 were assaulted and more 30 were dead. But in respect of a few of these deaths there is still some doubt as to whether they were the result of political violence or exploitation by criminal elements of the violent climate. However, the figures of deaths due to political violence are thought to be conservative and since they were produced several more MDC supporters have been killed. The number of deaths reported is closer to 80. In the Amani Trust database report, Zanu (PF) supporters and government officials were found to be responsible for approximately 93 % of violence, and to be the victims in an estimated 5 % of incidents. MDC and other non-government supporters are listed as the biggest group of victims at approximately 46%, while they are said to be responsible for 2 % of violence. Although farm workers have been and remain in the front line of political violence, the Forum has only managed to gather detailed statements from relatively few such victims to date. Research into their plight Continues, but we can be in no doubt whatsoever, from the records of the Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) and reports from the farm workers union, GAPWUZ, that farm workers have been subjected to all manner of human rights abuses and that they are isolated and under constant threat.