Sexual offences are alarmingly on the rise regardless of Women’s Month

Sexual offences involve sex without consent, unwanted sexual touching, or being forced to engage in humiliating sexual activity.

The current amount of cases reported is alarming, and women just do not feel safe anymore being on the streets or at home freely.

It was reported that on August 10 a mother was at her home sleeping in Driefontein when she heard a knock at her front door.

Upon opening, she found her daughter crying in the doorway, covered in dirt and her clothes torn.

Her daughter informed her mother that she was raped in a nearby bush.

Luckily, the daughter could identify the alleged rapist and had a first name. A case of suspected rape was opened at the Witbank SAPS.

In another case in Verena at 00:00, an 18-year-old female was attending a wedding celebration with her cousin and boyfriend on July 19.

After the celebrations were over, the victim was entering her home when an unknown male was behind her, where he instructed her to lay on her bed. The alleged attacker then proceeded to rape the victim.

The victim made it clear that she never gave consent and pleaded with the rapist to stop.

The suspect is currently unknown, and a case of suspected rape was opened at the Witbank SAPS branch.

On August 14 at 19:00 in MNS squatter camp, Klarinet, a mother was at home with her 15-year-old daughter when the mother could not hear or see her daughter outside anymore. She suspected something bad could have happened.

On the same day at about 20:00, the mother heard a knock at her door. Upon opening, she was met by a manwho escorted her daughter home.

The man told the victim’s mother that he found her daughter whilst being raped in a bush by an unknown male who had returned from a local tavern.

The daughter confirmed the Good Samaritan’s story.

A case of suspected rape was opened at Witbank SAPS and the suspect is still unknown.

Upon requesting a statement from the Witbank SAPS, Captain Eddie Hall had a few important tips to help the prevention of rape, and how to lower your chances of being a victim of rape.

Prevention of rape:

Vulnerability increases  in dark and deserted places at night;

• If you look vulnerable (e.g. walking alone in desolate areas).
• If you appear uncertain for example, if you do not know the person.
• 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; or
• If your vehicle is faulty, you have to stop for help.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Be alert at traffic lights and stop streets.
• Walk close to the curb and face the oncoming 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 the children also know, not to do so.
• Know your neighbors ‒ and together plan for how you will respond in a crisis.
• Know your local police station ‒ and discuss safety matters with the police.
• 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 and 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:

• Try not to panic.
• Common sense is your best defense.
• You can not always defend yourself and your resistance may cause serious injury.
• If the attacker is dangerous, cooperate and try to negotiate.
• Submission is not consent.
• Try and remember what the attacker looks like ‒ his age, race, height, hair color, scars, tattoos, clothes, voice, and jewelry.
• Scream, yell, 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 straight away: Go to the police station or phone 10111.

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