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Rape and sexual assault in the community

<div class="ExternalClassBDE6A8E71B8B435BB4CD64B96E774201"><p>It is important to understand what rape is and find out where you can go for help if you know someone who has been raped.</p> </div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">Facts and stats about rape<br></h2><p>No one has the right to abuse another person – either in body or mind. If a person does not say “yes” or agree to the act, it is considered rape. </p><ul><li>South Africa has the highest reported rape rate in the world.</li><li>Many rape victims know their rapist.</li><li>Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust suggests that only 50% of rape victims report their rape.</li><li>Both men and women can be raped or sexually assaulted.</li><li>According to the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20research%20reports%20and%20review/State_of_Cape_Town_2014.pdf" target="_blank">City of Cape Town’s State of Cape Town 2014 Report</a>, which you can download from our documents section, there has been a consistent, gradual decrease in all sexual crimes since 2004/5 – this is also true also for South Africa as a whole.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">What is rape?</h2><p>According to the law, “any person ('A') who unlawfully and intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration with a complainant ('B'), without the consent of B, is guilty of the offence of rape”.</p><p>Rape is a violent crime in which a person uses sex (or sexual acts) to intentionally hurt another person. If someone you know did not say 'yes' or agree to having sex then he or she has been raped, according to the law.</p><div class="lrg-icon-content bordered"><div class="lrg-icon lrg-check"><p> <b>Know the terms </b></p><ul><li> <b>Consent</b> means ‘saying yes’</li><li> <b>Sexual penetration</b> is when genital organs, body parts or objects penetrate to any extent the genitals or any other part of the body of another person<em>. [Source: </em> <a href="https://rapecrisis.org.za/" target="_blank"> <em>Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust</em><span class="icon link-external"></span></a><em>]</em></li><li> <b>Sexual assault </b>is any other sexual act or threat of sexual act that doesn’t fit the definition of rape and that occurs without a victim’s consent. </li></ul></div></div> <h2 class="sectHeading">Help them understand their rights</h2><h4> Sometimes a person who has been raped feels guilty or thinks that they are to blame. Help them understand their rights:</h4><ul><li>Sex and any other sexual act should only occur with agreement or permission by everyone involved</li><li>People always have the right to say 'no!'</li><li>Sexual acts with someone under the age of 16 are considered a sexual crime – even if there is consent.</li><li>If a partner or spouse forces someone into a sexual act without consent, it is still rape - this is referred to as marital rape. </li></ul><p> Get further <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Domestic-abuse/Support-and-treatment-for-domestic-violence-and-abuse">support and treatment for domestic violence and abuse</a>.</p><h4> Even if the person said yes or did not seem to be resisting, it’s still rape if:</h4><ul><li>they were forced into the act by violence or the threat of violence to themselves, a loved one or to their property;</li><li>they were drunk, drugged, asleep or unconscious;</li><li>they are younger than 16 years old or mentally challenged;</li><li>they were led to believe by a superior (e.g. boss or teacher) that refusing sex will risk their position at work or at the learning institute; or</li><li>they were led to believe a professional or someone in authority that the sexual act is needed for their physical, emotional or spiritual health.</li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Getting help</h2><p>Sometimes a person who has been raped is too hurt or scared to report the incident. If he or she has asked you to help, here is a guide as to what to do and who to speak to. Please remember that rape is a very serious offence. Once the rape has been reported, the victim will need to give evidence and may have to have a medical examination. The process can be stressful and traumatic. Remember to keep giving your support.</p><div><table> <caption> <b>Getting help: a guide </b></caption> <thead><tr><th> <b>Scenario</b></th><th> <b>What to do</b></th><th> <b>What to expect</b></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td> <b>Emergency: Someone has been badly hurt.</b></td><td align="center">Call <strong><em>107</em></strong><br> City of Cape Town’s General Emergency number<br><br> OR<br><em><a>10177</a></em><br><br> National Emergency Medical Care Number </td><td style="text-align:left;"><blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin-right:0px;"> <br>The operator will direct you to your nearest clinic or hospital or organise an ambulance if necessary.</blockquote></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Visit one of the <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/health/sexual_abuse_and_rape_specialist_clinics_and_hospitals.pdf" target="_blank">Province’s specialist rape and sexual abuse clinics<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> (for women and men over the age of 14 years)</td><td>The victim will be interviewed and counselled by a health worker in a private room or area. If you want to report the rape, a police officer will be asked to come to the health facility to get a statement and a medical exam will be performed on the victim.</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Visit your <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">nearest clinic or hospital</a></td><td>The injuries will be treated and he or she will be given medication to prevent <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Sexual-health/Hiv-and-aids">HIV/AIDS</a>, other<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/infectious-and-chronic-diseases/Get-wise-to-stis"> STIs</a> and unwanted pregnancy.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1"><b>I’ve reported a rape and the victim needs a medical examination</b></td><td rowspan="1">One of the Province’s <a href="https://www.westerncape.gov.za/assets/departments/health/sexual_abuse_and_rape_specialist_clinics_and_hospitals.pdf" target="_blank">specialist rape and sexual abuse clinics<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> can perform the medical exam. Alternatively, the police station will refer you to <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">the nearest clinic</a> or hospital. </td><td rowspan="1">The medical examination is usually done by a state doctor. The doctor will give the victim medication to prevent <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Sexual-health/Hiv-and-aids">HIV/AIDS</a>, other <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Local%20and%20communities/Community-health-and-safety/infectious-and-chronic-diseases/Get-wise-to-stis">STIs</a> and unwanted pregnancy.<br><br> If he or she decides to visit a private doctor, make sure they are trained in collecting forensic evidence and will go to court if necessary.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1"> <b>The victim has been for a medical examination</b></td><td rowspan="1">The victim will need to give a detailed statement.<br><br> This may take place at the specialist provincial clinic or at the relevant police station. </td><td rowspan="1">The statement will be given to a detective (investigating officer) who will be the only police person to know about the details of the case.</td></tr><tr><td rowspan="1" style="height:143px;"><b>The victim needs advice, counselling and other support</b></td><td rowspan="1" style="height:143px;">Get your friend to see a social worker at your local <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Social%20development%20offices">social development office</a>.<br><br> Find a full <a href="https://d7.westerncape.gov.za/service/reporting-rape" target="_blank">list of organisations<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> working with survivors of rape in the Western Cape. </td><td rowspan="1" style="height:143px;">A professional will assist with counselling for the victim and family (if required).</td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>If you are helping someone who has decided not to report the rape, please advise him or her to still get medical treatment to avoid unwanted pregnancy or infection by HIV/AIDS and other STIs.</p></div></div><p> The City also runs a number of programmes for vulnerable women in the community. These include: </p><ul><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Support-and-safety/Mitchells-plain-network-opposing-women-abuse">Mitchells Plain Network Opposing Women Abuse</a></li><li> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Activities-and-programmes/Support-and-safety/The-mosaic-social-ill-support-programme">Mosaic Social Ill Support Programme</a></li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Avoiding rape</h2><p>Cape Town can be a dangerous place. Taking note of these 10 safety tips can help you and your friends avoid potentially dangerous situations:</p><ul><li>Never walk alone in dark or deserted areas – especially at night.</li><li>Trust your intuition – if you’re not feeling safe, leave!</li><li>To avoid getting lost, make sure you know how to get to your destination.</li><li>To avoid breaking down on the road, make sure your vehicle is trustworthy.</li><li>Never hitchhike or pick up hitchhikers.</li><li>Be alert at traffic lights and stop streets.</li><li>Never go home with someone you don’t know.</li><li>Keep a whistle with you - and blow it if you need help.</li><li>Do not allow a stranger into your home. if the person is delivering something or providing a service, ask for ID or phone their company or office to confirm identity.</li></ul><p> <em>Source: </em><a href="https://www.saps.gov.za/" target="_blank"><em>www.saps.gov.za</em><span class="icon link-external"></span></a></p>

Understand what rape is and find out where you can go for help if you know someone who has been raped.

2014 State of Cape Town Development Report

20500887

2013-12-31T22:00:00Z