Father jailed for impregnating daughter
After raping and impregnating his daughter, a man has faced the consequences of the law.
A man convicted of raping his daughter was recently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Captain Shooz Magudulela, police spokesperson, said adding to the traumatic experience of being raped, the perpetrator’s daughter fell pregnant through the attack.
“The child was afraid to report the matter to the police and decided to move in with her grandparents until the baby was born,” he said.
After some time and getting married, the victim opened up to her spouse, who encouraged her to report the matter.
According to Captain Magudulela, the victim stepped forward and reported the rape, three years after it took place.
A paternity test was done on the victim’s baby and it was determined the victim’s father was the biological father of her child.
How prevalent is incest in Newcastle?
“We have seen four cases in the past three years,” Mary Dobbie from the Crisis Centre said. Taking the size of Newcastle into consideration, this was viewed as a high number.
“A lot of times, people remain silent and this is classified as a family secret.”
As with most sexual offenders who prey on children, parents who commit incest groom their children either through gifts or emotional abuse.
“The abuser might tell the child that if she or he tells, the abuser and the other parent will fight, the child will not have a home anymore or that the family will split up. Victims need to come forward though and break the silence. They can either talk to a teacher, someone from the Child Welfare or someone here at the crisis centre,” Mrs Dobbie encouraged.
Victims are also welcome to seek refuge at the crisis centre.
“We are open 24/7, all they have to do is come as there is always help for them.”
The Crisis Centre can be contacted on 034 315 3389. Alternatively, Child Welfare can be contacted on 034 312 6228.
