Child Rape in South Africa

On September 24, 2008, in Post-rape care, by admin

According o a report by BBC news, “a female born in South Africa has a greater chance of being raped in her lifetime than learning how to read”. The number of child rapes in South Africa is so embarrassing that the government has placed a moratorium on government crime statistics, stating that they needed reassessment. There are many reasons contributing to this issue.

One is the belief in the “virgin myth”; that sex with a child or baby will cure AIDS. Virginity testing is growing and often occurs in schools, where the girls must lie on their back with their pants and underwear off and legs in the air. Poverty and lack of access to AIDS drugs is another reason for these atrocities. The median income for Blacks and mixed race in South Africa can be as low as $300 a year, and the cost for AIDS drugs average $40 to $50 per month. Desperate people seek desperate measures.

As a woman, a mother and a human being I am beyond disturbed. While our children are worried about cliques and fitting in at school, those in South Africa are concerned about personal safety and whether their teacher, classmate, uncle, neighbor or stranger on the street will rape them.

How can a country with so many natural resources watch their people become so desperate?

How can we as a nation with so much luxury look the other way?

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  • http://www.klausholzapfel.com Klaus

    I am very excited to see my wife’s first blog post. You are doing great!

  • Felix

    Klaus is absolutely right. Great posting! Even or may be especially because it’s such a sad topic. But in my eyes you really find the right words.

  • oratio

    Good artice. The black ANC government didn't really make much difference. With ministers that believe that you can cure AIDS by eating a healthy diet, things dont look that bright for change. Its not only rape. Its one part of a much bigger pattern caused by fundamental problems. You risk getting killed just for stopping your car at crossing lights. The flood of drugs, weapons and a many millions living in despair with low or no education makes a whole lotta crazy.

  • Rachel

    this is sad… god i freak if i lived there and had to worrie about me or my daughter

  • http://www.chermou.org zorito

    beautiful blog merciiiii

  • Andika

    I live in Indonesia, and one of my South African's friend told me about this issue to me as well as this website link. She told me, this is one of her reason why she finally choose to live here, In Jakarta for the past 8 years.

    Really sorry for her, and for other refugees and victims. It is very sadly, if you have to leave your own home town, that you actually really love, just because you're scared and threatened to live there.

    Can't imagine if it happened here, in my lovely country.

  • Andika

    I live in Indonesia, and one of my South African's friend told me about this issue to me as well as this website link. She told me, this is one of her reason why she finally choose to live here, In Jakarta for the past 8 years.

    Really sorry for her, and for other refugees and victims. It is very sadly, if you have to leave your own home town, that you actually really love, just because you're scared and threatened to live there.

    Can't imagine if it happened here, in my lovely country.

  • Shineeqa

    wow,it is so true not forgetting the mere fact that even fathers rape they own kids it is really really disturbing its shocking.Living in south africa and my child being a Girl i fear for her live more than my own ,whether she is in pre school or at when she goes to school even in church i fear for my childs live it is horrible only GOD CAN PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR US AS I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR HER I AM UNABLE TO BE WITH HER 24/7 ITS A SHAME THAT THE DEVIL IS WORKING IN THESE WAYS BUT GOD ALWAS PREVAILS

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