Rape cases on the increase in Zim
Published: 2013 December 11 17:38:43 (7548 Views)
ATTONEY Genral's Office has raised concern over the rising cases of sexual abuse and rape in a number of religious organisations saying it is unacceptable.
This comes in the wake of reports from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) that in 2012 only 2 326 women were raped in Zimbabwe and from that figure 1553 of the victims were girls under the age of 16.
Addressing stakeholders during the 16 days of acticism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) at Mucheke Hall in Masvingo yesterday,guest of honour public prosecutor Tinayeshe Matenga said abuse of women has been on the upward trend in the province that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to address the problem.
Matenga took a swipe at churches which of late have become haven of sexual abuse cases saying it is unacceptable.
"It is saddening that so much abuse is happening in our churches.
If we cannot respect our women and girls , and each other, what Christain values are we upholding?.
The church is supposed to be a place of refuge but it has turned out to be aa haven of unimaginable acts of sexual abuse.
These cases much be reported to the police as this is totally unacceptable," he said.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is commemorated from November,25 to December, 10 every year.
"Let me emphasise that men have a role to play in this campaign against rape and sexual violence of women and girls.
Many men are already playing a constructive role in their communities, through raising awareness and assisting the police to arrest and facilitate prosecution of perpetrators, among other interventions," she said According to Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), three women in every ten women in Zimbabwe suffered from physical violence at some point since the age of 15 and one in four women(27 percent) have experienced sexual violence.
Matenga has called on members of the public to report cases of abuse to the police.
"Our constitution provides for protection and freedom from all forms of violence from public and private sources.
We should respect these rights and respect one another at all times," she said.
" Importantly,cases of rape ,sexual assault or any form of violence should be reported to the police.
Police and the courts are empowered under the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and Children's Act to arrest, prosecute and victim perpetrators of rape and sexual violence against women and children," she said.
She deplored the rampant cases of child sexually abuse adding that most of the cases are perpetrated by acquaintances.
"My heart bleeds when I read through stories reported in our daily media on why children are being raped.
It is disheartening to note that the majority of these acts are perpetrated by people who are related to the victims.
A number of factors ,among them religion and culture,have been attributed to the increase of minor girls that are raped.
"Some of the perpetrators have often come up with lame excuses whenever they are caught on the wrong side of the law, as they commit rape as a ritual while others have even blamed evil spirits and alcohol," she said.
She urged stakeholders to continue strengthening prevention and response strategies to address GBV particularly rape and sexual abuse of women and children.
The Attorney General's office underscored the need for establishment of Child Protection Committee (CPC) said there is sole need to engage the communities.
"We want to continue engaging with communities to raise awareness about the the problems of rape and sexual abuse, address attitude and practices that are harmful to children.
Community based prevention and response programmes aimed at addressing violence against women and girls," she said.
Present at the colourful event were, ZRP's Victim Friendly Unity(VFU),Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services,Ministry of Primary and secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Child Care,Legal Resource Foundation(LRF),National Aids Council, among others.
- Zim Metro
This comes in the wake of reports from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) that in 2012 only 2 326 women were raped in Zimbabwe and from that figure 1553 of the victims were girls under the age of 16.
Addressing stakeholders during the 16 days of acticism against Gender Based Violence (GBV) at Mucheke Hall in Masvingo yesterday,guest of honour public prosecutor Tinayeshe Matenga said abuse of women has been on the upward trend in the province that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to address the problem.
Matenga took a swipe at churches which of late have become haven of sexual abuse cases saying it is unacceptable.
"It is saddening that so much abuse is happening in our churches.
If we cannot respect our women and girls , and each other, what Christain values are we upholding?.
The church is supposed to be a place of refuge but it has turned out to be aa haven of unimaginable acts of sexual abuse.
These cases much be reported to the police as this is totally unacceptable," he said.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence is commemorated from November,25 to December, 10 every year.
"Let me emphasise that men have a role to play in this campaign against rape and sexual violence of women and girls.
Many men are already playing a constructive role in their communities, through raising awareness and assisting the police to arrest and facilitate prosecution of perpetrators, among other interventions," she said According to Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), three women in every ten women in Zimbabwe suffered from physical violence at some point since the age of 15 and one in four women(27 percent) have experienced sexual violence.
Matenga has called on members of the public to report cases of abuse to the police.
"Our constitution provides for protection and freedom from all forms of violence from public and private sources.
We should respect these rights and respect one another at all times," she said.
" Importantly,cases of rape ,sexual assault or any form of violence should be reported to the police.
Police and the courts are empowered under the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and Children's Act to arrest, prosecute and victim perpetrators of rape and sexual violence against women and children," she said.
She deplored the rampant cases of child sexually abuse adding that most of the cases are perpetrated by acquaintances.
"My heart bleeds when I read through stories reported in our daily media on why children are being raped.
It is disheartening to note that the majority of these acts are perpetrated by people who are related to the victims.
A number of factors ,among them religion and culture,have been attributed to the increase of minor girls that are raped.
"Some of the perpetrators have often come up with lame excuses whenever they are caught on the wrong side of the law, as they commit rape as a ritual while others have even blamed evil spirits and alcohol," she said.
She urged stakeholders to continue strengthening prevention and response strategies to address GBV particularly rape and sexual abuse of women and children.
The Attorney General's office underscored the need for establishment of Child Protection Committee (CPC) said there is sole need to engage the communities.
"We want to continue engaging with communities to raise awareness about the the problems of rape and sexual abuse, address attitude and practices that are harmful to children.
Community based prevention and response programmes aimed at addressing violence against women and girls," she said.
Present at the colourful event were, ZRP's Victim Friendly Unity(VFU),Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services,Ministry of Primary and secondary Education, Ministry of Health and Child Care,Legal Resource Foundation(LRF),National Aids Council, among others.
- Zim Metro
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