With campaigns at each of the organisation’s Victim Empowerment Centres (VEC), they are confident their efforts will create more awareness of rape and sexual violence in South Africa.
The 16 Days of Activism ran from November 25 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) till December 10 (Human Rights Day), during which iThemba’s VECs, based at various police stations across the East Rand, organised awareness campaigns.
Stoneman and Mafu said the campaign becomes localised thanks to the VECs, where each station targets their particular suburb and community.
“They (VECs) have been raising awareness in their areas, doing roadshows and handing out pamphlets,” said Mafu.
“Our media relations officer, Rose Maja, is currently doing interviews with several radio stations, to help raise awareness of the 16 Days of Activism, as well as iThemba itself.”
Stigma
“As soon as we start speaking about sexual violence and raise awareness, statistics go up, which is a good thing, because it means more people are coming forward, whereas they just didn’t report it before,” said Philip Stoneman, founder of iThemba.
According to Stoneman and Mafu, estimates reckon only about 10 per cent of rape victims report the incident.
“We need to de-stigmatise rape and its victims,” added Stoneman.
“When it comes to rape and sexual violence, the perpetrator always tries to say it’s the victim’s fault.
“With these campaigns we try to de-stigmatise that; it doesn’t matter if you wear a mini skirt or what you do, you didn’t ask to be raped.”
Sandile Mafu, centre manager at iThemba, added that a child or baby doesn’t ask to be sexually violated, but society often says that women do.
Stoneman said around 50 per cent of iThemba’s rape cases are children, emphasising that society should move away from the stigma that anyone could “ask” to be raped.
Word from iThemba
It is important that we continue to have 16 Days of Activism, because these days are coupled with practical ongoing tasks, wherein we undertake to ensure that the rights of women, children and even men are protected.
In terms of legislation, we have laws and a constitution that protects men, women and children within the borders of South Africa against violence and sexual abuse.
The value of this campaign is to educate people about those laws, and to make them aware of the way in which we should be treating vulnerable members of our population.
There is no point in having rights, if you do not know your rights or do not make use of the protection enshrined within those rights.
An important factor in protecting a woman against abuse or violence is the empowerment of the abused woman.
She must know that what is happening is not right and that she can take steps to change her abusive situation.
Days such as these empower women such as her.
This type of activism also helps to de-stigmatise rape and sexual violence and allows women the opportunity to come forward with the confidence that they will not be treated as the instigator of such a sexual attack.
Days such as these allow us to speak out against such attacks, because to “keep quiet lends support to the perpetrator, the rapist, the abuser,” (Herman, 1992).
This campaign allows survivors of rape, incest, abuse and even other forms of violence and emotional abuse to speak out, to lend their support to the silent masses of women and children who suffer and to empower them with their stories of survival.
Do not believe for one moment that these days do not make a difference in the attitudes of men and women in South Africa; they do.
Take this opportunity to speak out against abuse and sexual violence during the 16 Days of Activism.
One way that communities can work towards stopping abuse against women and children is by supporting organisations such as the iThemba Rape and Trauma Support Centre.
iThemba has a long track record of supporting survivors of abuse and sexual violence, and this year it has been in existence for 10 years.
Today, over these 16 Days of Activism, support iThemba to help survivors of rape and trauma.
Budget
With iThemba’s recent 10-year anniversary, Mafu and Stoneman felt it was more important than ever to take part in the 16 Days of Activism and to start plans to expand the organisation’s facilities.
This is not, however, possible with the current financial situation.
At present the organisation is operating at a monthly shortfall of about R18 000.
This shortage is compensated for by reserve funds, but is unsustainable for too long.
Due to the shortfall, iThemba may be forced to lay off employees soon, unless the deficit is covered.
“The message from the board and us is transparency,” said Stoneman.
Stoneman and Mafu said iThemba’s main source of funding at the moment is the government.
“We would like to get to a balance between the government and the community, otherwise we’re in a catch-22 situation,” said Stoneman.
“We need a balance, not only for security, but to be able to fight for the victims’ rights; sometimes we’ll have to argue with police about the treatment of victims.
“If we get to a stage where we can meet the shortfall, the vision is to bring back the forensic facility we had here.
With nurses and a forensic facility, iThemba was previously able to catalyse convictions, which helped victims’ recovery.
iThemba’s main centre is on the corner of Kimbolton Street and Woburn Avenue, in Western Extension.
For more information, contact iThemba on 011 422 4107 or 011 421 5278.
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