The failure of the State to provide resources to prevent and deal with the consequences of rape has been highlighted by a coalition of organisations working on the issue.
SHUKUMISA CAMPAIGN: THE RAPE AND MURDER OF ANENE BOOYSEN
The rape, mutilation and subsequent death of a 17-year-old Bredasdorp teenager have shocked many and political organisations have expressed their outrage. Cosatu described the attack on the girl as "appalling", while the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) said the incident left it disgusted.
"We are also outraged and disgusted - at the failure of the State to provide services to rape survivors and their failure to provide adequate resources to community organisations that have arisen to fill this gap," said Kathleen Dey of the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust for Shukumisa Campaign. The Shukumisa Campaign was created in 2008 and aims to stir and shake up public and political will to develop and implement policies that ensure that cases like this one are effectively dealt with and that provide families like the Booysens with justice and redress. The word Shukumisa means to shake or stir things up.
"In a recent indaba, we realised that the biggest challenge facing the rape survivor is getting access to the resources that allow her to heal and help her help the criminal justice system to prosecute the perpetrators. Women and girls are the most vulnerable to sexual violence, which means they are most affected by the lack of resources. Neither the State, the National Lotteries Board (NLB) nor the National Development Agency (NDA) are currently providing adequately for these resources and communities are going to have to dig into their own pockets to make these services available" said Dey.
The viciousness of this attack also highlights the paper-thin nature of women and girls' rights to be free from all violence. Significant effort and resources are needed to shift gender norms and prevent rape in the long term.
"We call on provincial governments to put more resources into combating this scourge, and stop turning a blind eye to the lack of resources for these services. And we call on individuals to step up - your donation means we can fight this battle."
To donate, go to www.shukumisa.org.za for a list of partner organisations for donation information.
Put more resources into combating rape scourge
The failure of the State to provide resources to prevent and deal with the consequences of rape has been highlighted by a coalition of organisations working on the issue.
SHUKUMISA CAMPAIGN: THE RAPE AND MURDER OF ANENE BOOYSEN
The rape, mutilation and subsequent death of a 17-year-old Bredasdorp teenager have shocked many and political organisations have expressed their outrage. Cosatu described the attack on the girl as "appalling", while the ANC Women's League (ANCWL) said the incident left it disgusted.
"We are also outraged and disgusted - at the failure of the State to provide services to rape survivors and their failure to provide adequate resources to community organisations that have arisen to fill this gap," said Kathleen Dey of the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust for Shukumisa Campaign. The Shukumisa Campaign was created in 2008 and aims to stir and shake up public and political will to develop and implement policies that ensure that cases like this one are effectively dealt with and that provide families like the Booysens with justice and redress. The word Shukumisa means to shake or stir things up.
"In a recent indaba, we realised that the biggest challenge facing the rape survivor is getting access to the resources that allow her to heal and help her help the criminal justice system to prosecute the perpetrators. Women and girls are the most vulnerable to sexual violence, which means they are most affected by the lack of resources. Neither the State, the National Lotteries Board (NLB) nor the National Development Agency (NDA) are currently providing adequately for these resources and communities are going to have to dig into their own pockets to make these services available" said Dey.
The viciousness of this attack also highlights the paper-thin nature of women and girls' rights to be free from all violence. Significant effort and resources are needed to shift gender norms and prevent rape in the long term.
"We call on provincial governments to put more resources into combating this scourge, and stop turning a blind eye to the lack of resources for these services. And we call on individuals to step up - your donation means we can fight this battle."
To donate, go to www.shukumisa.org.za for a list of partner organisations for donation information.
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