Police clarify rape myths among pupils
UPWARDS of 2,200 pupils were reached during Brighton Beach SAPS’ ‘Operation Basadi’, a rape myth prevention campaign.
On Thursday, 18 August, in continuation of the station’s Women’s Month activities, the Brighton Beach SAPS division media monitoring and liaison team addressed pupils from five local high schools.
The topic of discussion was the Sexual Offences Act (32 of 2007), including rape; what is consent; rape myths and categories of rape. It also listed contact details for organisations that support victims of violent crimes.
According to media officer, Captain Louise Le Roux, the following are important aspects of the Sexual Offences Act:
- All forms of sexual abuse or exploitation are crimes;
- Both men and women are considered victims and perpetrators of rape;
- Rape victims must get anti-retroviral drugs to prevent them from being infected with HIV;
- Rape victims may ask the court to test an 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 included;
- A national register of sex offenders has been established which prohibits people who have been convicted of sexual offences against children or people with mental disabilities from working with either of these two groups.
“Although incidents of rape are generally under-reported for both girls and boys, we are hopeful that pupils who receive this brochure will make use of the organisations that can guide and support them and that they will find the courage within themselves to make a report to a police officer should the need arise,” said Capt Le Roux.
Brighton Beach SAPS management thanks Capt Le Roux, who created the brochure, project and was the operational commander.
“We once again express our thanks and appreciation to the principals of our five schools, who afforded us the opportunity to create awareness on a sensitive topic, which is beneficial for not only female but also male pupils,” said Capt Le Roux.
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