Rape crisis in south africa pdf

Sep 29, 2015 how rape became south africa s enduring nightmare this article is more than 4 years old new crime statistics show a slight drop in sexual offences but experts say true figures are much higher. Fewer than 30 of the cases will be prosecuted, and no more than 10 will result in a conviction. A case study of trauma for a country not at war, south africa presents with one of the highest levels. Tears foundation is a women led organization help is provided regardless of ethnicity. Sep 11, 20 firdous hendricks is a volunteer counsellor for the rape crisis training and development programme. Susan brownmiller, a noted feminist and researcher of rape since the 1970s, has argued for the importance of historical examinations of sexual violence against. On the day the act was committed, the legislation creating a new statutory crime. The accused was charged in a regional court with rape, in that, on a certain day in 2004, he had sexual intercourse with the complainant, then a nineyearold girl. As previously reported by the south african human rights commission sahrc, statistics south africa statssa has estimated that 21 per cent of women over the age of 18 years have experienced physical violence by a partner, while 6 per cent of women have. A report published in 2009 by the white trade union solidarity said that one child is raped in south africa every three minutes, with 88% of rapes going unreported. According to a new government report, a woman is murdered every three hours in south africa, and many are. Rape and other forms of sexual violence in south africa. Corrective rape and other accompanying acts of violence can result in physical and psychological trauma, mutilation, unwanted pregnancy, and may contribute to suicide.

Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without that persons consent. Jan 04, 2014 news world africa crisis in south africa. As a feminist organisation, rape crisis is committed to working towards the achievement of womens rights. Although we may be celebrating womens day weekend, the threat of sexual assault remains prevalent in south africa. Key words rape, south africa, discourse, statistics, crime, race, gender corresponding author. In south africa, incest law covers only vaginal sex penetration of the vagina by the penis. At the heart of gqolas book is the 2006 rape trial of jacob zuma, which she returns to repeatedly as emblematic of south africa s gender. In 1995, the human rights watch reports on domestic violence and rape, dubbed south africa the rape capital in the world human rights watch, 1995. Sep 25, 2015 at the heart of gqolas book is the 2006 rape trial of jacob zuma, which she returns to repeatedly as emblematic of south africas gender problems in a number of different respects. Confidential services are provided to all victims at no charge. The term jackrolling was coined to describe the forceful abduction of young women by a gang calling themselves the jackrollers. A key question is whether these levels of sexual violence are related to the factors contribut ing to the high levels of violence more generally in south african. The democratic alliance da can reveal that 76% of police stations in south africa do not have adult rape kits in stock.

The rate of sexual violence in south africa is among the highest in the world. This data shows that south africa s rape statistics are double the countrys murder rate over this 275 day period at 53. Attrition in cases nationally and by province 29 figure 3. But years after apartheid, this country is still grappling with a legacy of inequality and violence. Mar 16, 2019 cape town violence against women in south africa continues to grab headlines and the countrys rape rate is among the highest. That one in three south african women will be raped in our lifetime.

Nationally accessible assistance and support network. Beleive it or not, over 40% of all the rapes in south africa are. Sexual assault, compelled sexual assault and compelled selfsexual assault 5. Aug 11, 2019 the democratic alliance da can reveal that 76% of police stations in south africa do not have adult rape kits in stock. Thanks to the counsellors and communications team at rape crisis, a toolkit has been created to help you support a rape survivor, whether its a friend, a family member, or a colleague. South africa has one of the highest incidents of reported rape in the world. I dedicate this research to all the women who have been raped in south africa. Mar 10, 2017 this data shows that south africas rape statistics are double the countrys murder rate over this 275 day period at 53. Our roots are as a volunteer run feminist womens collective, but we were compelled by the changing fundraising climate of the early 1990s to develop into a professionally staffed organisation. The horrific reality of south africas rape problem will. The impact of this past will be considered in relation to a specific form of gang rape. South africa s rape crisis dedicated nurses play a key role in helping rape survivors in south africa, yet. Kathleen dey rape crisis sisonke msimang sonke gender justice katy hindle sonke gender justice.

Thanks to the counsellors and communications team at rape crisis, a toolkit has been created to help you support a rape survivor, whether its. Sexual violence is the use of force or manipulation to get someone to engage in. Sexual violence includes rape, defined as physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration. Genderbased violence is a very important issue in south africa and the world, thus we offer this paper in the hope that it contributes to the efforts of citizens, institutions and the like, working tirelessly to curb the.

How rape became south africa s enduring nightmare this article is more than 4 years old new crime statistics show a slight drop in sexual offences but experts say true figures are much higher. Sep 19, 2019 as south africa reckons with history, court restricts its old flag in blaze of powerlessness, south africans rage against migrants a rape trial sparked outrage. A further, 69% of stations do not have child rape kits in stock. Request pdf rape and sexual violence in south africa. During 201516, there were 51,895 crimes of a sexual nature reported to the south african police service. Rooted in the patriarchies of oppression found in colonialism, apartheid and the cold war.

Rape in south africa a call to action the recent public outcry over the brutal rapes and murders in new delhi, india, and in the western cape, south africa sa, has rudely awakened civil society from apathy to shock about what is regarded as a common violent act against women and children, but is often ignored. It provides survivors with court support, counselling services, and community prevention strategies by creating a culture of respect for women and girls in south africa. However, this sexual offences bill in the making since 1998 which also deals with the dangers of rape, hiv infection, the protection of children and the mentally disabled from sexual exploitation, has yet to be made law, making the default legal definition of rape a grey area. Rape in south africa a call to action naidoo south. Tears foundation is a leading antisexual violence organization. I came to capetown to help provide hivaids education for women. Most commonly, rape is understood as a symptom of deep and pervasive gender inequality, historical, social and economic legacies of apartheid as well as postapartheid state discourses that. Incidence and prevalence of rape statistics south africa. Established in 1976, rape crisis is the most experienced organisation in south africa working in the area of adult rape and sexual violence. The most recent survey of the prevalence of rape in south africa found that more than one in five men reported raping a woman who. Attrition of cases by complainant age group 30 figure 3. Sexual assault, compelled sexual assault and compelled self. First off, we live alongside terrifying statistics. As south africa reckons with history, court restricts its old flag in blaze of powerlessness, south africans rage against migrants a rape trial sparked outrage.

Gbv, high levels of sexual assault, rape and femicide still occur in south africa. Follow the steps on how to report a rape and the rights you have when reporting. People received direct services from us in the last year, which is an increase of almost 3000 compared to last year. About 150 women report being raped to the police in south africa daily. Rape crisis cape town trust is at rape crisis cape town trust. We would also like to acknowledge the support and endorsement of the south african national prosecuting authority sexual. Pdf on jan 1, 2008, jean steyn and others published revictimisation of rape victims by the south african police service find, read and cite. It goes without saying that the high rate of rape indeed fuels the hivaids.

Within my research report i have highlighted the literature on rape, both globally and that which is specific to south africa. Rape and other forms of sexual violence in south africa aws. Disgrace south africas rape epidemic middle east and. The legal status of women changed with the 1996 constitution, and with a range of other acts passed since then for example, the domestic violence act, maintenance act, promotion of. The aim of these training programmes is to develop creative and innovative prevention methodologies, to facilitate community groups building safe spaces within their areas and to change attitudes about rape within communities and between men and women in south africa. Pdf revictimisation of rape victims by the south african police. South africa in a crisis of violence against women, says president this article is more than 7 months old cyril ramaphosa promises plan of action as protesters call for death penalty for perpetrators. South africa continues to top international rankings of incidence of reported rape and sexual violence. South africa declares femicide a national crisis voice of. Rape of women and of men is often used as a weapon of war, as a form of attack on the enemy. A case study of trauma for a country not at war, south africa presents with one of the highest levels of violent and genderbased crime in. Sep 06, 2019 south africa in a crisis of violence against women, says president this article is more than 7 months old cyril ramaphosa promises plan of action as protesters call for death penalty for perpetrators. As a result, the problem of sexual violence in south africa is a major concern.

Rape crisis centre has a 24 hour crisis line 021 447 9762 and its head offices are in cape town. Without these kits, evidence in reported rape cases cannot be collected, and, without evidence, the ability to successfully prosecute rapists. Clare carter travelled across south africa to photograph and interview the. South africa s student protests have lessons for all universities the uprising has specific roots in apartheid and colonialism.

Preventing sexual violence in kwazulunatal 3 it has been said that most crime in south africa is personal and domestic in nature. According to the rape crisis centre, 12 times more women are. Sexual violence is the use of force or manipulation to get someone to engage in unwanted sexual activity without their consent. Year after year, when reported crimes are analysed, a huge proportion consists of the cocalled social contact crimes which generally make up about two thirds of all contact crime. South africa in a crisis of violence against women, says. Sexual violence encompasses acts that range from verbal. The south african government has declared genderbased violence a national crisis. What every south african should know about rape is a book. The common intended consequence of the rape, as seen by the perpetrator, is to turn the person heterosexual or to enforce conformity with gender stereotypes the term corrective rape was coined in south africa. Rape in south africa 4 mental health consequences of rape 6 guidelines and recommended standards 9 guiding principles for services 10 psychological first aid 12 services at police stations 19 services at a tcc or health facility 20 supporting first responders 23 working with the criminal justice system 27 restoring dignity, promoting justice 29. It found that levels of child abuse in south africa were increasing rapidly. The rape survivor may be labelled either as a good or bad victim with serious implications for how women are treated. Shocking stats reveal 41% of rapes in sa are against children.

Some new rape statistics direct from the minister of police, bheki cele, has left the nation feeling even more worried and unsafe. Rape and other forms of sexual violence in south africa saferspaces. With rates of rape in south africa among the highest in the world, the significance of context has surfaced repeatedly in south african scholarship on rape. Jul 28, 2010 no understanding of sexual violence in south africa is complete without reference to south africa s apartheid history.

Heres how many sa police stations are unequipped to. Statisticssouthafrica privatebagx44 pretoria0001 southafrica 274schoemanstreet pretoria usersenquiries. In this edition, in a country where rape has become an epidemic, we take a look at how the pressure is on south. Rape crisis cape town, south africa hot peach pages. South africas student protests have lessons for all.

The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person who is incapable of giving valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, has an intellectual disability or is. The most recent statistics show that 36,190 cases of rape were reported to the police between april and december 2007, though experts believe that number only accounts for one out of nine cases. How rape became south africas enduring nightmare world. The rape survivor may be labelled either as a good or bad victim with serious implications for how women are treated by the police, courts and medical. South africa also has the unhappy distinction of being known as the country with the highest incidence of rape worldwide ramsay, 1999. Corrective rape is a major contributor to hiv infection in south african lesbians. Violence against women in south africa a country in crisis 5 executive summary i n south africa, a country scarred by the history of apartheid, violence against women vaw is endemic.

One of the common challenges in offering support is the ability to treat a survivor in the most sensitive way. Other forms of sex, such as oral sex inserting the penis into the mouth or sodomy inserting the penis into the anus are seen as indecent assault, which is regarded in. Corrective rape, also called curative or homophobic rape, is a hate crime in which one or more people are raped because of their perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. They also elided a focus on the gendered scripts and power relations which south african feminists implicate centrally in what they deem a national rape crisis.

S v masiya is an important case in south african criminal law, decided by the constitutional court. The shocking practice of corrective rape aimed at curing lesbians. Tears foundation provides access to crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, and prevention education services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. Quantitativeresearchfindingson rape statistics south africa. According to a new government report, a woman is murdered every three hours in south africa. South africa declares femicide a national crisis voice. Pdf organising against gender violence in south africa. Rape and domestic violence are hard to measure, since victims often suffer in silence. Statistics on femicide, rape and domestic violence demonstrate unprecedented prevalence rates. Rape case progression in criminal justice system 20 figure 2. Before his election as south africa s president, jacob zuma stood trial for the rape of a family friend.