Concerns over high statistics of police rape cases

Tears, a non-governmental organisation, has raised its concerns over the high rate of police rape cases in the South

Africa.

Mara Glennie, founding member of Tears Foundation (Transformed Education about Rape and Sexual Abuse) has expressed her outrage over the stats on police rape incidences, many of these on people in their custody.

This follows a statement by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) that it is investigating more than 60 rape cases involving police officers.

According to the statistics disclosed, 66 rape cases, allegedly committed by police officers have been reported between April and September 2014, compared to 53 similar cases during the same period last year.

Glennie pointed out that “These are the very people victims of sexual abuse should turn to for protection. The high incidence of crime among members of

the South African Police Services is already a major cause for concern by all law abiding citizens.”

Of the 66 rapes mentioned in the report, 25 were allegedly committed by police officer(s) while ‘on “duty’.

There have also been 37 reported rape cases against off-duty police officers between April and September 2014.

The chairperson of IPID, Francois Beukman, said the Directorate was shocked by the number of rape cases involving police officers, and such officers did not belong in the SA Police Service.

With the international 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence against Women and Children starting on 20 November, this places yet another important focus on the scourge of rape and sexual abuse in South Africa.

Tears has called on the business sector to work together to broaden the impact of the campaign by supporting this foundation as they help victims of rape and sexual abuse!

Tsebo Outsourcing Group has taken a stand against this scourge to our society by becoming a patron of Tears.

“We have provided Tears with free offices and infrastructure so they may provide their vital services efficiently,” said Tsebo Outsourcing Group CEO Clive Smith.

The public and other business decision makers are encouraged to take up the challenge and support Tears financially, or by printing the Tears contact details on their staff’s payslips and adding to their staff handbook (*134*7355#).

Details: Tears emergency mobile assistance number *134*7355#; Mara Glennie mara@tears.co.za