Sunday marked the start of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, which runs until December 10.
On the eve of the campaign, last Friday a 57-year-old woman from Umtentweni was taken to the Thuthuzela Care Centre at Port Shepstone Regional Hospital after she had been raped.
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Worryingly the centre, which deals with abused women and children, is always busy.The scale of the problem was highlighted by the fact that a nine-year-old child was brought in for special care and treatment on Sunday after she had reportedly been raped.
And earlier this month, a six-year-old girl was examined by doctors at the centre after she was raped by her father.
Violence against women and children has received increasing national and international attention, accompanied by calls for stringent measures to be implemented to stamp out this social ill.
South Africa has one of the highest incidences of rape in the world and this violence against women prompted the government to adopt the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign in 1998, as a way of creating a society free of violence.
Twenty years later, has this had the desired effect, as rape numbers continue to climb at an alarming rate and many women and children still suffer at the hands of men?
Woman raped
An Umtentweni woman was raped outside a restaurant at around 9pm last Friday night.
According to Basil Lanka of Lazer 911 Security, officers Robbie Pypers and Tiaan Vermeulen had gone to a shopping centre to stand off when they were stopped by a man who asked if they could help him.
“The man said his wife had gone out for a cigarette and had not returned. Shortly after he and the officers began their search, they heard a woman crying for help. Backup was called and, together with reaction officer Sarel Maree, they found the woman behind the restaurant,” said Mr Lanka.
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He said his officers soon arrested a suspect who was handed over to the police.
Police comment
But police are adamant that no suspect is in custody. A case of rape is being investigated by Port Shepstone police. “The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” said police spokesman, Captain Nqobile Gwala.
Hope
“The statistics are alarming. Some 41 percent of rape cases in South Africa involve children,” said Shireen Govender, founder of Hope Village in Hibberdene.
“This shows that women and children are becoming soft targets for criminals. We should put more pressure on government to institute more serious punishment. When rape is proven beyond doubt, life sentences should be imposed or the death penalty brought back.”
Mrs Govender stressed that society must stop teaching girls how to avoid rape and start teaching boys and men not to rape.
“Much publicity and attention is given to teaching women to protect themselves against rape instead of teaching men not to become perpetrators of rape. This should be instilled in children by parents in early childhood development.”
Hope Village is a shelter for abused women and children. Read next week’s Herald for an in-depth report on Hope Village and why Mrs Govender started the project.
Help on offer
Thuthuzela Care Centre, at the Port Shepstone Regional Hospital, offers a one-stop rape crisis clinic to assist victims and ensure they are not shunted around the criminal justice system.
It never closes and, once a rape victim arrives, professional and caring staff will take care of everything. The centre aims to turn victims into survivors by reducing victimisation, improving conviction rates and speeding up the finalisation of cases.
The victim decides whether they want to be examined or receive treatment. However, it is important to report any rape to the police.
The centre is a place where traumatised patients can be examined in private, evidence can be collected, legal documentation completed and prescribed treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV prevention issued.
Blood and HIV testing and liaison with the Saps Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) are offered, as well as referral to a social worker and psychologist.
If you have been raped, contact the Thuthuzela Care Centre at 039 6886021.
Remember, a rape victim’s body is a crime scene. Don’t wash, drink or eat anything. Don’t change clothes. Don’t urinate (if possible) and don’t clean your teeth or brush your hair.
Police campaigns
Meanwhile police stations within the Ugu Cluster have programmes in place for the 16 Days of Activism, on different days in different areas.
“Crime awareness talks are given and pamphlets on related subjects are handed out at schools, community centres and roadblocks.
“These campaigns are conducted continuously during the year but are intensified during this special time,” said police spokesman, Captain Petros Mpinge.
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