‘Police must take rape seriously’

RAPE cases need to be reported to the police so the perpetrator is held accountable, says a rape survivor from northern KwaZulu-Natal.

The 20-year-old was raped on July 30.

“I told my room-mate what had happened and she started crying. She suggested I open a case with the police and go to the hospital.

“I then reported the matter to the police after being discharged from the hospital that day.”

She said she was initially afraid to report that she had been raped.

“The boy threatened to kill me if I did so, so I was quite scared. But I’m happy I reported the matter because he was caught in town a few days later. I was scared but happy when I found this out.

“While I’m glad there was an arrest, I feel some police officers don’t take rape seriously. The officer handling my case was male.

“He eventually suggested a female police officer and she is handling my case well. The police must do their work and nothing less. Rape is a serious matter. The more the thugs are not arrested, the more the victim is traumatised.”

She said she wanted the perpetrator to be jailed.

The young woman attends weekly counselling to deal with her trauma.

“I have found the sessions to be helpful thus far,” she said.