Women, child abuse rising - Sawla

2010-11-12 13:28

Johannesburg - Violence against women and children is increasing in South Africa, the SA Women Lawyers Association said on Friday.

"Sawla is saddened to learn of several cruel occurrences on the eve of the 16 Days of Activism against Violence on Women and Children," its president Buyiswa Majiki said in a statement.

Sawla referred to incidents from the past few months such as the doctor who was raped in Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, the 15-year-old girl allegedly gang-raped at Jules High School in Johannesburg, the elderly woman and children who were murdered in Butterworth in the Eastern Cape and the Shongweni massacre in KwaZulu-Natal.

All these cases involved either women, children, or both.

"The alleged rape of a 15-year-old learner at Jules High School in Johannesburg presents a new form of barbarism. Rape on its own is more than barbaric, and Sawla is also deeply disturbed that this act was recorded on cellphone video," Majiki said.

She said what was disturbing about the incident at Pelonomi Hospital was the alleged involvement of a 16-year-old minor.

"Sawla calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that the alleged perpetrators in these cases will be dealt with accordingly."

During the 16 Days of Activism Sawla would be working alongside government to engage communities through various activities on gender issues.

The programme would also target young boys and would teach them to understand that all rights had "parallel obligations", Majiki said.

- SAPA