‘Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself’

THE rate of sexual violence in South Africa is considered to be one of the highest worldwide, with one in three women in South Africa falling victim to sexual predators.

While rape is considered the most heinous of sexual crimes, there are other forms of sexual violence which must also be taken into consideration. Sexual harassment is one of these and must not be taken lightly within organisations and companies where male and female members work side by side.

A local woman was recently the victim of an alleged case of sexual harassment where a colleague was reported to have made unwanted sexual advances on her. Her fear of judgment and not being believed led to her reluctance in reporting the matter.

“At first I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t think anyone would believe me,” she states. “Some women are otherwise because of fear. I was afraid of being judged.”

“Everything happened so fast,” she recalls of the incident. “Now I realise that you don’t have to dress provocatively for this to happen to you. It can happen to you even if you don’t. And it doesn’t have to be a stranger,” she adds, “People might think it’s only strangers that can do this, but sometimes it can be your own friends, colleagues or people that you trust…”

The CCMA defines sexual harassment as “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.” Sexual attention becomes sexual harassment if the behaviour is persisted in, although a single incident can constitute sexual harassment, as well as if the recipient has made it clear that the behaviour is considered offensive and the perpetrator should have known that the behaviour is regarded as unacceptable.

When asked what advice she can offer anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation, she declares, “All I can say is don’t wait. Report the incident immediately. An experience like this makes you feel like you can’t trust anyone, not even your friends. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.”

Vryheid Neighbourhood Watch Patrol Commander, Adriaan Botha, urges victims of sexual violence of any kind to seek help immediately, stating on behalf of the organisation, “Report the matter immediately to your parents, husband, wife or a member you can trust. Go and open a case at the SAPS and seek counselling from your church or contact me and I will arrange for a chaplain or a counsellor to assist you.”

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