Rape victims have yet again stated their cases at the Witbank Police Station in the past week, but it is equally important for these victims to know exactly what to do when they have been a victim of rape.
On Saturday, June 18, paranoid parents started searching for their daughter after they received an SMS stating that something was wrong.
The 13-year-old girl was eventually found, and the shock followed when she told her parents that she has been raped by a boy who allegedly washes cars at a closeby neighbourhood.
Another incident occured during last week, on Monday, June 13 at approximately 14:30. The complainant alleges that she was raped at the field next to Highveld Steel. She told police that she was selling DVD’s when someone stopped her to look at what she has. After a short conversation with the man, she was taken to the above mentioned field.
She also stated to police that the unknown suspect gave her R70 when he dropped her in an unknown street. According to Ms Antionette Deiner from Victim Support, the field next to Highveld Steel has been a hotspot for rapes the last few years. She also stated the importance of reporting the crime to the nearest police station, immediately after it happened.
“This is important as it is a big crime. It is also important to know that victims should not bath before reporting rape. Also, that if clothes are removed, it should be put in a paper bag or wrapped in a towel or newspaper, because a plastic bag sweats and the evidence is then removed. It is also very important to remember as much of the abuser as possible,” Antionette stated.
She also added that medication is needed in a case of rape, so it is equally important to go to a hospital or clinic to receive the necessary medication. Anti-retrovirals are needed, the moring after pill as well as medication to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
Victim support is a non- profit organisation who does trauma councelling to not only rape victims, but also victims to abuse, domestic violence and much more.
They also have a safe haven for victims whose current situation poses as a threat, and the victims then stay there until alternative accommodation is found.
“The sad part is that almost 90% of rape crimes reported, are family or close friends. It is then impossible to send victims back to the problem, after they have come looking for help. We take them through the whole process and we walk a long road with them through councelling. We also prepare them for court and for the proceedings,” Antionette added.
She also said that it is of the utmost importance for parents to know where their children are at all times and to be familiar with the friends. The reason for this is, that she found an increase in rape cases under children and teenagers.
“Do not take drinks from anyone and parents, know the friends your children go out with.
This is not to scare anybody, it is reality. This happens every single day and it is a very difficult thing to go through. We are here to help, and that is exactly what we do. That is what we live for and I can not emphasise enough that you have to keep your children safe at all times,” she added.
According to Antionette, not only women have to deal with being raped or molested, but it happens to men as well.
She also added that failed relationships can also be a result of rape or molesting, where the victims never told their story.
“Going to the root hurts even more. That is why it is important to come for councelling when the wounds are still fresh,” she said.
They work around the clock, every day of the week to ensure that victims get the right councelling and treatment.
“We build a database with hotspots for places it occurs at, and this way serial rapists can be caught. If your child is kidnapped, they are used as prostitutes and are being fed drugs. This has become such a big part of reality. We can not take the pain away but we can help you have a fulfilled life,” Antionette concluded.
The Victim Support offices can be contacted on 013 692 7988 or Antionette Deiner on 082 494 9778 or Zelda Heyns on 072 112 1339.
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