Rape myths clarified in police campaign
Pamphlets distributed to clarify facts around sexual offences
A THOUSAND brochures on rape facts were distributed during foot patrols conducted by Brighton Beach policeman on Friday, 28 August.
The outreach formed part of Brighton Beach police station’s women’s month operational activities.
The campaign aimed to create awareness of the sexual violation of women, men, teenage girls and boys, older people and to combat rape myths.
The Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act. No 32 of 2007 came into effect in December 2007.
Important features of the Sexual Offences Act;
• All forms of sexual abuse or exploitation are crimes.
• Both men and women are considered to be victims and perpetrators of rape.
• Rape victims must get anti-retroviral drugs to prevent them being infected with HIV.
• Rape victims may ask the court to test alleged rapist for HIV.
• All sexual crimes are included in one law.
• A number of new sexual crimes, particularly those effecting children and people with mental disabilities, have been created.
• A national register of sex offenders has been established. This prohibits people who have been convicted of sexual offences against children/or people with mental disabilities from working with either of these two groups.
If is imperative that people know what sexual acts forced upon them, constitutes the crime of rape.
Rape is an act of sexual penetration of a victim, without their consent.
Rape occurs when:
● Someone inserts their genital organs into the mouth, anus or genital organs of a victim
● Any part of someone’s body, such as a finger, is inserted into the anus or genital organs of the victim.
● Any object is put into the anus or genital organs of the victim.
The brochure explains the characteristics of the various forms of rape, such as anger rape, corrective rape, power rape, sadistic rape and drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Other information provided in the pamphlets distributed explains the myths and truths about rape. The brochure was researched and developed by Brighton Beach media officer, Capt Louise Le Roux.
SAPS Brighton Beach management thanks Capt Le Roux and Capt Melody Zwart for their active participation in the campaign.
