After this year’s crime statistics showed that reported rape cases had increased and sexual assault cases had dropped at Linden Police Station, Randburg Sun spoke to the station’s constable Takalani Matumba to explain these statistics.
Firstly she explained the difference between rape and sexual assault – with rape there is penetration involved, no matter how slight.
“This can be with any body parts or object or oral penetration by a sex organ of the other part.”
She added that sexual assault included various things, from touching a victim in a sexual manner, forcing a victim to touch the perpetrator in a sexual way or to make the victim look at the perpetrator’s sexual body parts.
Statistics showed there were 13 reported rape cases last year and 21 cases this year.
When asked why the statistics of reported cases had risen Matumba said it was possible that people were previously not reporting cases due to fear of humiliation by family and friends, not being believed, retaliation by the perpetrator, their family being endangered or lack of faith in the ability of justice.
To ensure people’s safety the station said they are doing various school visits to teach learners about rape and sexual assault and encourage them to report it.
They are also doing rape campaigns to teach people what they can do to avoid being a victim of rape.
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