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Men rape to punish women
Megan Power. Independent on Saturday. 08 February 2003. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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Women's rights and political freedom in the new South Africa may be fuelling the rampant rape of women and children.
And assertive, attractive black women, who dress provocatively, go out after dark, and behave like ?“whites?” are likely to be at highest risk.
These are the shocking conclusions of soon-to-be-released research carried out by the Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication, a non-governmental organization which harnesses media to promote social and health messages.
The disturbing findings look set to be used by rape crisis experts eager to transform outdated education campaigns.
?“Soul City wanted to determine what audiences believed caused rape and what the possible solutions were?”, said Dr Sue Goldstein, the institute?’s senior research manager. Seven focus groups were conducted among black men and women, aged between 18 and 40, in rural and urban areas in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and the North West Province.
The research, conducted in 1999, was used to brief scriptwriters working on the fifth series of the popular ?“Soul City?” television series on SABC1. ?“The research reveals that although the groups agree there is a lot of rape in their communities, they also offer excuses for why rape occurs?”, said Goldstein. Men and women blamed political freedom and women?’s rights for the rise of rape in their communities.
?“They spoke about the past with nostalgia, claiming previously rape did not occur because men practiced polygamy women didn?’t behave like whites?”, said Goldstein.
And respondents believed a woman was always to blame for rape, she said. They said rape occurred because women did not satisfy men sexually; they dressed in a ?“tempting?” way, or visited public places alone.
Women were also to blame, men implied, for child rape and attacks on the aged. If partners were not available for sex, it seemed a girl child or grandmother would have to replace them.
When asked about what the ?“Soul City?” series should teach people about rape, most participants wanted it to teach women how to dress and behave properly, and to promote the idea of curfews for women.
?“Some male participants suggested women should not be seen around after 7pm,?” said Goldstein. Men spoke of raping these ?“types?” of women as a form of punishment for their perceived independence.
Goldstein said they believed this form of ?“deviant?” behaviour needed to be corrected through rape. ?“Men rape outspoken, assertive women to show them their place,?” she said.
Debbie Harrison, director of LifeLine and Rape Crisis in Pietermaritzburg, said the organization had already begun ?“serious rethinking?” in its community education campaign.
?“We?’ve been looking after victims well, but our awareness programmes have been misdirected. We?’ve taught women about their rights and responsibilities, but we?’ve done nothing to teach men about theirs.?”
Executive Director of Durban?’s Advice Desk for Abused Women Daya Pillay said government needed to conduct mass education campaigns.
?“These men and women will continue to think this way because they know no better. And these women will pass on their views to their children.?” |
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