| Provincial Communication partnership with FCS Mangaung kicks off child protection marathon ahead of Child Protection Week 2025 | |
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| Date Published: | 2025/05/20 |
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Media Statement
In a significant step to educate the public, Sergeant Bessie Nthoba recently visited Motheo FM. During her appearance, she addressed the critical and often hidden dangers associated with inter-familial rapes and incest, emphasizing the severe repercussions of keeping such acts secret. Sergeant Nthoba began her discussion by providing a clear definition of rape, explaining that it occurs "when a person forces another to have sexual intercourse without their consent," regardless of gender. She further elaborated on various forms of sexual offenses, including: * Compelled Rape: Forcing another person to commit rape. * Sexual Assault: Sexually violating another person without their consent. * Sexual Grooming: Educating, introducing, or preparing a child to perform or witness any sexual act, or to become sexually ready. * Child Pornography. The Sergeant particularly highlighted the devastating and widespread negative effects experienced by survivors, perpetrators, and society when inter-familial rapes and incest are not reported to the police, but instead handled through informal family or community interventions. She noted that the common perception of sexual assault as a "private matter," particularly in inter-familial cases, often serves as a coping mechanism or directly stems from the internalized shame, guilt, and fear of judgment resulting from the trauma. Sergeant Nthoba underscored the legalities for family members or individuals who are aware of abuse and rape but fail to report it. Unreported rape, she warned, often leads to social isolation for victims, strained relationships with loved ones, and a significantly increased risk of re-victimization. She acknowledged that many incidents continue to go unreported due to deep-seated fears among survivors. These fears include fear of further trauma, lack of confidentiality, stigmatization, not being believed, fear of retaliation from the perpetrator, and a perception that reporting will not lead to punishment. However, Seargent Nthoba stressed that the law is "firm and stern when it comes to all forms of rape, sexual abuse or child neglect," citing an increasing number of convictions and sentencings. She issued a stern reminder to families that victims suffer greatly after such ordeals, and if not attended to, the trauma can profoundly affect their lives. Attempting to resolve such matters solely within the family is not only illegal but can also lead to legal trouble for anyone who was aware of the abuse and failed to report it to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Failure to report such incidents to the SAPS can result in conviction.
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