Rape On The Rise

ALREADY frightening rape statistics are on the rise once again, with almost daily basis by police of these occurrences in virtually all corners of the country.

This comes when the Children’s Status Bill is being debated in Parliament by somewhat lackadaisical MPs who should surely have more than enough to say on this subject – considering that most of the victims of the horrendous crime of rape at present are children. It is quite possible that newspaper readers are simply numbed by the incessant headlines reading: ‘Five child rapes reported’ and ‘Granny, six-year-old girl raped’, among others, and have become almost desensitised to this most shocking of all crimes, after murder.It has reached a stage where it has become difficult to even venture a solution that would end the spate of rapes which are becoming endemic in Namibia.Male MPs may joke in bad taste about the capacity of women to ‘rape’, but in all honesty this is a problem affecting the lives of hundreds of women and children almost every day.Not even infants are safe.The five rapes reported this week occurred in Grootfontein, Swakopmund, Ombalantu, Ohangwena and Walvis Bay – various corners of the country where horrific crimes are being perpetrated on the most innocent and youthful members of our society.Public reaction is mute, if not completely non-existent.Yet it is not difficult to imagine the terrific trauma and suffering that female victims and, even worse, the children who are being violated must undergo.Yet our country appears obsessed, not with these most pressing problems which affect nearly every woman and child in Namibia, but with trivia in many cases.Somehow, a way must be found to tackle this evil and to do so effectively.We have written about it many times in the past; we have supported legislation to maximise punishment for offenders; we have called on Namibians to be caring members of society and to ensure that women and children are kept safe – but nothing seems to stem the tide of rape and violent abuse.These are depressing reports indeed and we cannot ignore them, for each and every one of us could fall victim to such crimes.We can only, once again, appeal to society at large to guard against making women and children vulnerable.It is our duty to protect them and it is their right to feel safe in Namibia.The law enforcement agencies could also play a role if they were more visible on the streets of our towns and cities.So too, could the churches have an effect by reaching out to their congregations and calling upon all men to protect the lives of women and children, rather than to take them away or ruin them.There must be a way of ensuring that criminals such as these, for they are the worst of all violent offenders short of murder, be dealt with harshly by the courts.And the Ministry in question must be cautious when commuting and/or reducing the sentences of such offenders.Parents at least have the responsibility of protecting their children, ensuring they are not alone or vulnerable to such attacks.Many of the rapes occur in the homes or vicinity of the children in question.Finally, tackle this huge problem we must.We must ensure that Namibia is a safe place to be.It is quite possible that newspaper readers are simply numbed by the incessant headlines reading: ‘Five child rapes reported’ and ‘Granny, six-year-old girl raped’, among others, and have become almost desensitised to this most shocking of all crimes, after murder.It has reached a stage where it has become difficult to even venture a solution that would end the spate of rapes which are becoming endemic in Namibia.Male MPs may joke in bad taste about the capacity of women to ‘rape’, but in all honesty this is a problem affecting the lives of hundreds of women and children almost every day.Not even infants are safe.The five rapes reported this week occurred in Grootfontein, Swakopmund, Ombalantu, Ohangwena and Walvis Bay – various corners of the country where horrific crimes are being perpetrated on the most innocent and youthful members of our society.Public reaction is mute, if not completely non-existent.Yet it is not difficult to imagine the terrific trauma and suffering that female victims and, even worse, the children who are being violated must undergo.Yet our country appears obsessed, not with these most pressing problems which affect nearly every woman and child in Namibia, but with trivia in many cases.Somehow, a way must be found to tackle this evil and to do so effectively.We have written about it many times in the past; we have supported legislation to maximise punishment for offenders; we have called on Namibians to be caring members of society and to ensure that women and children are kept safe – but nothing seems to stem the tide of rape and violent abuse.These are depressing reports indeed and we cannot ignore them, for each and every one of us could fall victim to such crimes.We can only, once again, appeal to society at large to guard against making women and children vulnerable.It is our duty to protect them and it is their right to feel safe in Namibia.The law enforcement agencies could also play a role if they were more visible on the streets of our towns and cities.So too, could the churches have an effect by reaching out to their congregations and calling upon all men to protect the lives of women and children, rather than to take them away or ruin them.There must be a way of ensuring that criminals such as these, for they are the worst of all violent offenders short of murder, be dealt with harshly by the courts.And the Ministry in question must be cautious when commuting and/or reducing the sentences of such offenders.Parents at least have the responsibility of protecting their children, ensuring they are not alone or vulnerable to such attacks.Many of the rapes occur in the homes or vicinity of the children in question.Finally, tackle this huge problem we must.We must ensure that Namibia is a safe place to be.