NGO’s in the Eastern Cape are joining efforts to decrease the number of rape cases in the province. Women’s rights Organisation, Masimanyane, has set up a shelter in East London to accommodate women in distress. The NGO says women are afraid to speak out about abuse because society is still patriarchal.
Nosipho (not her real name), a 26-year-old, is one of the many sexual violence victims. She refuses to speak out about her ordeal. She is one of many victims that fear they will not be believed .
She alleges that three of her school teachers forced themselves on her while she was in matric nine years ago. She says these are the people who she trusted the most and regarded as father figures in her life.
“He asked me to visit his home. He said his wife wanted to see me. When I got there, I found two other teachers from my school and they raped me numerous times, the three of them,” she said.
Nosipho never reported the matter to the police. To date she never told a soul about what happened to her.
“The one person I trusted, when I told her she did not believe me and said maybe I had an affair with the teacher and now he doesn’t want me so I’m trying to ruin his reputation. So I decided I’m never going to report this to anyone,” she adds.
“Finding your voice, learning to say no, is something we need to teach women how to do. The key is to address the issue of poverty because poverty and patriarchy is a combination that accelerates the problem,” says South African Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and the Maldives, Ruby Marks.
Marks was the guest of honour at the official opening of the shelter for women.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity that we have purchased this shelter that will take in women and provide them with a service that will restore their dignity and provide them with safety,” said Dr Lesley Ann of Masimanyane Women’s Organisation.
Nosipho later found out she was pregnant and she has no idea who the father of her child is.
What she is certain of is that it is one of the three school teachers who forcefully took advantage of her.
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