Tag: rape

The evolution of the Sexual Offences Act in South Africa, in effect for 10 years

South Africa has some of the most progressive legislation regarding sexual violence today. But this wasn’t always the case.

PRESS RELEASE: SA Constitutional Court to hear case regarding removal of 20 year statute of limitations for sexual offences that do not include rape

On 14 November the Constitutional Court will hear the case seeking confirmation of the South Gauteng High Court judgment handed down on the 19 June by Acting Judge Hartford in the matter between Levenstein (and 7 others) and Sidney Frankel, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, (Case 29573/2016). The judgement struck down section 18 of the Criminal Procedure Act as unconstitutional. The section barred the right to prosecute all sexual offences, other than rape, after a period of 20 years after the offence has been perpetrated.

Why I didn’t report my rape #38 – “I didn’t know it was rape”

I didn’t know it was rape until learning the definition of rape in a psych 101 class.

Why I didn’t report #37 – “I would have been court marshalled”

During the 70′s and 80′s South Africa had compulsory military training (conscription) for all white males, if you refused, you would go to jail for between 10 and 15 years. At the age of 18yrs I was sent to the Air Force for two years and was trained as a radar operator, as I was based close to home and was doing work as an assistant air traffic controller, it was tolerable. Everybody knew I belonged to a very small liberal political party; most white South Africans supported the government with their policy of apartheid. I got used to being ridiculed, on a number of occasions the officers would call everybody for a talk and they would say ” watch out, anybody could be a spy… even..then they would mention me by my rank and name”.

Why I didn’t report my rape #36 – “they didn’t protect me”

The year was 1994 when i was doing my Grade 1 before that i was staying with my GrandMa but that year i had to move in with my Mom (who is disabled) and My Stepdad. My Stepdad was an abusive man towards my mom especially when he is drunk. so we stayed in a 1 room shack.

Why I didn’t report #35 – ‘Who would I tell? My parents?’

I was 15 when I had my first boyfriend.

Why I didn’t report #34 – he was my boyfriend of over a year

I didn’t report my rape because I didn’t say no and I thought that made it my fault. I thought no one would believe that I said no with my body when I froze and couldn’t speak. I also didn’t think people would believe I let me boyfriend of over a year rape me because “rape doesn’t happen in relationships”, right?

Why I didn’t report my rape #33 – ‘she was my only friend’

we were nine. i tell myself i must have imagined it. or maybe dreamt it.

Con court ruling against ‘teen sex’ law protects rape survivors’ rights

Last week’s Constitutional Court ruling decriminalising consensual sexual relationships between teens was met with moralising outrage across the country. Sensationalist media fanned the flames of indignation by failing to contextualise the law’s effect on teen sexual relations – including rape.

Under the impugned sections 15 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act (SOA) teenage rape survivors, especially girls, run the risk of being criminally charged for being raped.

DNA evidence is circumstantial – Supreme Court of Appeal

I was just alerted to this. I have no words. Analysis of judgement to come. Does this make the DNA bill meaningless? Criminal: DNA evidence not enough to convict r ape accused – SCA The evidence regarding the outcome of tests carried out via the most common DNA testing method used in SA has been… Read More ›

Serial killer apologises to SA, only to admit he would continue killing

THE Eastern Cape man who pleaded guilty this week to murdering 20 people said he was sorry.

On Tuesday Bulelani Mabhayi, 39, plead guilty to all 36 charges levelled against him, which include rape and murder.

If convicted, Mabhayi will be the worst serial killer South Africa has seen in over 15 years.

DLF backs Vavi – seriously?

The DLF just emailed out this statement and, having had only a quick read through it, I find it immensely worrying that the organisation would still consider Vavi any kind of leader after his behaviour. He abused his power to hire a woman, possibly only with the intention of having sexual relations with her. This… Read More ›

Who “let’s rape happen” in South Africa? [TRIGGER WARNING]

Following the Vavi rape accusation South Africans have questioned the validity of claims of rape where the victim or survivor has not opened a case with the police. This, despite the fact that it is well-documented that rape is vastly under-reported. When confronted with this evidence, many South Africans respond that it is the duty of the rape survivor to report to the police, to take the matter to court and, once there, find justice.

Why I didn’t report my rape #32

When I was a full time student at the University of Durban Westville I had a gap in my time table that allowed me to have a nice long swim once a week. The walk from the swimming pool back to main campus was a lot of uphill so I would often just stay in… Read More ›

Why she didn’t report her rape – “RIP, you crazy Diamond” #31

I met the mother of my son in the early 1980’s during the height of all the apartheid nastiness and bullshit.