• Aging and Sex
  • For men
    • Multi Vitamin for Him CPA
    • Practical Tips to Maintain Sexual Virility
    • ProSolution Plus is a Natural Remedy For Premature Ejaculation
  • for women
    • Breast Actives CPA
    • Four Ways To Look Young
    • Ten Ways to Look Like a Model Bride
  • Home Based Business
    • AWESOME EASY CASH MONEY TO YOU TODAY!
    • Craft Idea for a Group: Make a Mural
    • DIGISOFT PAYLINE How to Make Instant Money Now DIGISOFT PAYLINE
    • Getting Your Family Involved In Your Home Business
    • Home Based Real Estate Investing
    • Home Based Real Estate Investing
    • How To Become A Work At Home Mom
    • How to Get Free Rent
    • Make Extra Cash & Work From Home!
    • Strategies for Success in the Exciting and Lucrative Home-Based Business of Jewelry & Gemstones
    • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY
    • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR!
  • How you can Regain your Youthful Appearance without Expensive Treatments or Surgery!
  • Intelligent nutritional supplements
    • Antioxidants Nutrients Have Powerful Anti-Cancer Activity!
    • AsthmaMist CPA
    • What Are Phytoceramides?
    • Cleanse the Body, Curb Unhealthy Cravings, and Lose Weight with ProShape Rx
  • interesting idea, hobby
    • Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments
    • Wedding Crafts Ideas for Saving Money
  • Natural products for weight loss
    • Natural Weight Loss Products
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms And Conditions

Health and Beauty

The site is about the beauty and health of men, women, children

  • Home

Enter your email address:

Spam Blocked

18,994 spam blocked by Akismet

Health24.com | SA rape crisis: 'We still blame the victims'

  • Health

“There is a fear of judgement that happens around rape, and silence is the way to protect you from that fear. But the only person that is to blame for rape is the rapist,” Larissa Klazinga said today at the 11th annual Silent Protest, which was hosted at the University of Cape Town (UCT) by the Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) – in line with Women’s Month.

Klazinga is the Regional Policy and Advocacy Manager at AHF.

The event was attended by hundreds of students and members of the public in solidarity with rape victims and survivors. They also advocated victims’ rights for Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP).

“The first Silent Protest was founded in 2007 at Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape, and this year marks the 11th year the Silent Protest is taking place in South Africa”, said Klazinga.

“The reason an HIV organisation is involved in a gender-violence prevention event is because there’s a clear connection between the epidemic of rape and the epidemic of HIV and if we don’t address rape we are never going to stop new infections.

“AHF is the largest HIV/Aids organisation in the world, treating around 750 000 people a month”, said Klazinga.

South Africa has one of the highest reported rape rates in the world. 

“This is the fourth year that the AHF has organised the Silent Protest to highlight the serious issues surrounding rape and sexual violence,” said Klazinga.

Why a silent protest?

The Silent Protest aims to draw awareness to the importance of receiving PEP within 72 hours after somebody has been raped, helping the body fight off HIV infection, said Klazinga.

“There is enormous stigma against gender-based violence. People are assigning blame to the victim and not the perpetrator, and excuses are made on behalf of the perpetrator.”

HIV, Aids, health

Rape is rife in South Africa – one in every three girls will be victims of sexual assault before the age of 16 years, and one in every five boys will be victims before the age of 16 years.

PEP after rape

“PEP is free for all who need it and readily available in clinics,” said Klazinga. “But there is a lack of information on PEP. Our aim is to educate the public on the critical importance of PEP and urge the government to improve the education on the importance of PEP.”

Victims can simply report to a medical facility, state that they have been raped and ask for PEP, said Klazinga.

HIV, Aids, health

“Once the victim reports a rape, there would need to be a pregnancy test, and HIV test, a blood draw for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and would be given a broad-spectrum antibiotic for the STIs. They would be given the morning after pill, and a short course of antibiotics if the victim is HIV negative at the time of the test.”

But healthcare workers are under the assumption that rape victims need to come with a police report to gain access to PEP, added Klazinga.

According to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007, it mandates that victims of rape must receive PEP for HIV infection at public hospitals and clinics. It further mentions that PEP should be free of charge.

South African legislation therefore guarantees all survivors of rape and sexual violence the right to access to PEP.

HIV, Aids, health

The Silent Protest included a morning briefing; symbolic silencing whereby participants had their mouths taped shut in front of the hall; a march to highlight the silence in communities and the larger South Africa; the “die-in” (where participants lie on the floor in silence); followed by removing the tape and breaking the silence.

The event ended off with an open mic session, which allowed participants to share their stories and views, breaking the silence against gender-based violence.  

Image credits: Naseema Barday

Naseema Barday

NEXT ON HEALTH24X

Let’s block ads! (Why?)

August 30, 2017 admin

Post navigation

Does Race Matter in Care 'Preemie' Babies Receive? → ← Here's How to Lower Shingles Risk in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies 1,698 views
  • ‘Love Hormone’ Oxytocin May Enhance Feelings Of Spirituality 959 views
  • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR! 910 views
  • Ginseng: Root of Immortality 857 views
  • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY 731 views
  • Breast Actives CPA 729 views
  • for women 724 views
  • Get Rid of Cellulite, Once and For All! 719 views

Popular articles

  • Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies 1,698 views | under alternative medetsina
  • ‘Love Hormone’ Oxytocin May Enhance Feelings Of Spirituality 959 views | under alternative medetsina
  • WIN FREE DOGECOINS EVERY HOUR! 910 views
  • Ginseng: Root of Immortality 857 views | under alternative medetsina
  • THE INTERNATIONAL PROJECT OF THE 21st CENTURY 731 views
  • Breast Actives CPA 729 views
  • for women 724 views
  • Get Rid of Cellulite, Once and For All! 719 views | under Body Health
Buy Brand Drugs

Archives

Powered by WordPress | theme SG Double