Midrand police communications officer Constable Matome Tlamela said, “A young woman was raped after she went out for some drinks at a place on Sagewood Street. According to the complainant, she went to a night club where she stayed until midnight. The same day at about 11am she was surprised to wake up in a place she did not know. The woman found herself in bed next to a man she did know and the man told her he had sex with her without using a condom.”
The case was reported to the police and a 52-year-old suspect was arrested and will appear in court soon facing a rape charge.
Tlamela explained that sexual offences involve sex without consent, unwanted sexual touching or being forced to engage in humiliating sexual activity.
She said vulnernability increases in:
- Dark and deserted places at night
- If you look vulnerable (walking alone in desolate areas)
- If you appear uncertain, for example if you do not know where you are going
- If you do not lock your car doors and close your windows
- If you talk to strangers
- If you stop for stranded vehicles or people
- If your vehicle is faulty and you have to stop for help.
She offered the following tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Be alert at traffic lights and stop streets
- Walk close to the curb and face on-coming traffic
- Try and keep to well-lit areas or where there are people
- Do not hitch-hike
- Do not pick up hitch-hikers
- Keep a whistle with you and blow it if you need help
At home:
- Do not allow a stranger into your home – even if he is delivering something or providing a service
- Ask for an identity document or phone his/her office to check his/her identity
- Invest in the best locks and security you can afford
- Never tell anyone that you are alone at home – and make sure your children also know not do so
- Know your neighbours and plan with them how you would respond in a crisis
- Know your local police station and discuss safety matters with them
- Become involved with local crime prevention efforts with the community police forum or police
On a date:
- Do not allow anyone to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, be firm and clear – say no.
- Do not leave a party or social event with someone you do not know or have just met – say no.
- Ask friends for help if someone ignores you when you say no.
- Remember, most rape victims know the rapist. You have the right to say no.
In a case of rape:
- You cannot always defend yourself and your resistance may cause serious injury
- If the attacker is dangerous, co-operate and try to negotiate
- Submission is NOT consent
- Try to remember what the attacker looks like – his age, race, height, hair colour, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, jewellery
- Scream, blow your whistle or run away if you possibly can
- Do not bath or change your clothes after an attack
- Keep all the evidence so that it can be used by the police for further investigation
- Report the crime to the police service straight away – go to the police station or phone 10111.
After a rape:
- Every victim of rape responds differently but it is likely that you will benefit from trauma counselling.
You may feel:
- Dirty and want to wash yourself repeatedly
- Scared and afraid to go out
- That it is your fault
- That you are guilty
- You cannot sleep, have nightmares, cannot eat, cannot stop crying or you want to forget it as quickly as possible and get on with your life.
None of these responses are unusual or unnatural.
