Govt declares war on rape

via Govt declares war on rape | The Zimbabwean 09 July 2014 by Nelson Sibanda

Government and citizens have expressed anger and dismay at the rising number of rape cases, mainly against girl minors. Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri recently told a police passing out parade that rape statistics were on the rise.

“Police have recorded 1,494 rape cases for the period January-May 2014, compared to 1,384 cases reported during the same period 2013,” Chihuri said. Victims ranged from babies to the elderly, with the vast majority being female.

Rudo Gaidzanwa, a renowned sociologist and dean of social studies at the University of Zimbabwe, said though traditional beliefs contributed towards rape, the fact that women were generally cautious of AIDS and would be strict with their sexual behaviour could have contributed to men resorting to defenceless girls for violent sexual gratification.

Gaidzanwa said the high level of AIDS awareness by women made them demand protection when indulging in sexual acts, and suggested this was one of the reasons why ‘sick’ minded men would turn to vulnerable and defenceless minors.

War declared

Minors, would be abused as they had no adequate protection against perpetrators. “Some misguided men feel power is all about forcing themselves on defenceless girls,” she said.

Zimbabwe has declared war with the launch of the National Plan against rape and sexual abuse. Speaking at the official launch Vice President Joyce Mujuru said the country could no longer turn a blind eye to the crime and go on with business as usual.

The ‘alarming’ increase in the number of cases of rape of minors and the elderly forced government to constitute a Cabinet Inter-Ministerial Committee on rape, mandated to carry out thorough investigations into the causes of rape – especially of minors.

According to Mujuru, the most appalling thing was that the majority of these acts were perpetrated by people who were related or known to the victims.

She called on everyone – churches, communities, policy makers, traditional leadership, families and individuals – to join the fight against the scourge.

Mujuru admitted that although government was doing everything possible in terms of legislation to deal with perpetrators, gaps still remained in the implementation of these laws and ensuring perpetrators were given deterrent sentences.

Deterrent sentences

Henry Madzorere, former Minister of Health and Child Welfare, blamed the increase on perversion and sin – but said it could be possible that the increase in the number of reports was due to the fact that more people were now aware of their rights and reported any forms of abuse to the law enforcement authorities.

“I think there are more reports to the police now than in the past, because even children are now educated about their rights and all forms of abuse,” he said. In addition, these days people were no longer keen to cover up for criminal relatives who abused children. He attributed this to increased levels of literacy and attitude change.

Basile Tambashe, UNFPA country representative, said there was need to step up efforts aimed at fighting all forms of gender based violence including rape.

Judiciary trained

“If the statistics of reported cases are this alarming, imagine the real figures – given that some cases remain not reported,” Tambanashe said.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, Minister of Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs, recently told the Junior Parliament that the constitution had provisions to deal with perpetrators accordingly.

“Government is doing everything within its power to combat cases of rape through the judicial system. The judiciary is being trained accordingly while institutions such as child-friendly courts and case reporting facilities have been put in place,” Mnangagwa said.

Prince Mutandi Sibanda, secretary for Education and Culture with the Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association, blamed the rise on ritual beliefs.

Sibanda said some men were wrongly advised that they would prosper in life if they engage in sexual acts with children who have not born children.

Witchcraft

“Immigrants from some countries with strong witchcraft beliefs are also to blame for the increase in cases of rape against minors. Some African countries in the north believe in ritual prowess of African herbs topped with sexual intercourse with minors,” Sibanda said.

Research and medical specialists, who declined to be identified for professional reasons, said psychological factors such as lack of knowledge, alcohol and drugs, childhood abuse, male attitudes that women were objects to be conquered and harsh childhood upbringing were among contributory factors to the commission of rape.

Other causes such as lenient laws against perpetrators, evolutionary pressures, national laws and unjustified anger against women were cited.

Statistics show that rape is committed by people from all walks of life. Married people with children and jobs, school children, traditional leaders, college students, lectures, teachers, family members, people in relationships, strangers, co-workers, church people and top government officials have all been perpetrators of rape.

Research suggests that marital rape accounts for 25 percent of all cases.