According to Sergeant Matome Tlamela, the spokesperson for the Midrand Police Station, sexual offences have been on the rise in her precinct recently and a number of incidents have been reported to police.
Although some cases have been thrown out of court, sexual violence is a problem faced by millions of women in South Africa. The Midrand police have a few tips on how to keep yourself safe.
“We are here to advise our community to stay alert at all times,” Tlamela said. “Especially when at drinking places [restaurants, bars or taverns] because many cases originate there.
“In [many] cases women become victims after their drinks are spiked and they [could] be raped.”
Tlamela gave some tips to women on how to keep themselves safe:
• Never leave your drink unattended and keep an eye on your friends drinks
• Do not accept a drink from someone you do not know
• Consider sticking to bottled drinks and avoiding punch bowls or jugs of cocktails (it is easier for someone to slip a substance unnoticed into an open container than into a single bottle)
• Do not give out your address to someone that you have just met.
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Sergeant Matome Tlamela
