Over-confidence with drugs and alcohol a key factor in North Coast sexual violence, statistics reveal

Sexual violence is out of control on the North Coast and young women and men are not doing enough to protect themselves.

These are the conclusions of doctors at the Thuthuzela Crisis Centre (TCC) in Stanger, and an independent specialist forensic pathologist.

According to Dr Shivani Chirkut, a medical doctor based at the TCC, 35 to 50 cases are examined each month and those are merely the cases reported.

“As a doctor in this centre, I am actively involved in the initial medical care of the survivor. My role is also to do DNA evidence collection from the victim’s body. I write the forensic medical reports which are handed to the investigating police detectives and then used by the prosecutors as evidence in court. I am very often in court myself as an expert witness in these cases,” said Dr Chirkut, who says drugs and alcohol are a common denominator with the cases she handles.

“The majority of perpetrators are known to the victim and drugs and alcohol put victims into a vulnerable state, increasing the risk of rape and sexual violence.”

Dr Chirkut said most cases are not reported or seen because the victims are embarrassed or do not want to expose themselves to the reality of what they have been through.

Drugs are also a serious problem.

“Over the past month, I have dealt with several cases of rape and attempted rape in the Ballito area as a result of negligent and careless drug and/or alcohol intake by teenagers and young adults.”

Specialist forensic pathologist Dr Steve Naidoo, who works with many victims of sexual violence, said many people are ignorant of the reality of what alcohol use exposes them to in a world where sexual predators prowl for targets.

“We see so many cases of child abuse and young girls who drink and do not realise the effect it has on them, and the bulk of rape cases we see could have been avoided.”

He mentioned a recent case where a young couple used a popular taxi service and were taken to a remote area and gang raped.

He advised young people not to go clubbing alone.

“The moment you have your first drink, one of the effects is that you get a sense of bravado to try new things and trust people you normally would not.”

“If you are going to put yourself into this environment, ensure that you have a buddy who watches your back and you can watch theirs.”

Should a person be a victim of an attack, they should not shower or clean up before going to the TCC as the stains and position of marks on the body are critical pieces of evidence for prosecution that are often lost.

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