Information
Rape Statistics SA
SOUTH AFRICA IS KNOWN AS THE RAPE CAPITAL OF THE WORLD WHERE IT IS ESTIMATED THAT:
- a rape occurs every 17 SECONDS!
- 1 in 3 women are raped
- 1 in 6 men are raped
- 1 in 25 cases are reported to the police
- 45% of rapes reported to police in SA are child rapes
SA HAS THE HIGHEST INCIDENCES OF CHILD AND BABY RAPE IN THE WORLD!
A WOMAN BORN IN SA HAS A GREATER CHANCE OF BEING RAPED THAN LEARNING TO READ!!
Facts About Rape
- RAPE CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE - women, men, and children from all walks of life.
- No one asks to be raped
- Sex without consent is rape!
- You can be raped by a stranger or someone you trust – majority of rapes are committed by people known to the victim.
- Rape is about power and control, not sex
- Rape is a crime of power not passion
- Rape is abuse of your human rights AND IT IS AGAINST THE LAW!
Definition of Rape
According to the Sexual Offences Act of December 2007 it is:
Any person who unlawfully and intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration with a complainant (survivor), without the consent of the complainant, is guilty of an offence of rape.
The law also states that Penetration is:
Any act that causes penetration by:
- The general organs of one person into or beyond the genital organs, anus, or mouth of another person
- Any other part of the body of one person or, any object, including any part of the body of an animal, into or beyond the genital organs or anus of another person, or
- The genital organs of an animal, into or beyond the mouth of another person.
Myths and Truths
What is a rape myth: “It is a prejudicial, stereotyped, or false belief about rape, rape victims, and rapists”?
One of the big problems we face in our society is myths and stereotypes about rape. These false beliefs have serious effects on the community, on victims not getting healing and justice and allowing rapists to get away with the crime they committed. It is therefore important to know the difference between a myth and the truth and to reject the myths to enable victims to get healing and justice.
Myth
Truth
A woman who has been drinking and is drugged asked to be raped
If there was no consent, it is rape! The law states that consent must be fully and freely given by someone with the capability to do so. If incapacitated due to alcohol, the person is not able to consent.
A woman wearing provocative clothing asked to be raped
The sight of a woman’s body and what she is wearing does not create desire or lust to the rapist. Rape is about anger, hatred, power, and control – so nothing to do with what she is wearing!
Rapists are always strangers
It most cases the rapist was known to the victim. Rape Crisis reports that 10% of cases it is a stranger and 90% someone known to the victim
Rape cannot happen if you are married or in a sexual relationship
Even in a relationship, you have the right to say no. If after saying no, if sex is forced, it is rape.
If a person consented before it is ok to do it again
One cannot presume that it will always be ok if it was the first time. Consent must be given EVERY TIME!
Sex workers cannot be raped
If there is no consent – it is rape. Everyone has the right to say “no”, even a sex worker
Women can prevent rape if she tries hard enough
Men are stronger than women, and if a weapon is used or she is threatened, she has no power to stop it.
Respectable women do not get raped
It can happen to anyone
Boys and men can’t be raped
Boys and men DO get raped
All perpetrators are men
Although majority of cases are males, females are also perpetrators of sexual violence
A woman is not really raped if she did not fight back
As 85% of rapists in South Africa in South Africa is armed with a gun or a knife, the focus is on survival and not fighting back. Shock of the attack can also leave the victim feeling paralyzed.
Rape only happens outside in the dark – so women should not go out alone at night.
It happens everywhere at any time of day or night – in your own home, place of work, or places you might have felt safe at before
Only young attractive girls are raped
Rape happens to everyone – men, women, children from all walks of life. Perceived attractiveness has nothing to do with it.
Women lie about rape to get revenge on a man
Rape Crisis reports that 98% of reported cases are true. Due to the stigma attached to rape and the shame victims often feel, it makes it difficult for women to report.
Sex with a baby (virgin) will cure HIV/Aids
This is not true. THERE IS NO CURE FOR AIDS