Amnesty International recently set up an information stand on campus, putting forward some answers to the question: what is rape?
Dorothy Masaza, a Masters student in human rights law, says people need to know the following information. Masaza says ignorance is a great cause for rape going unreported.
Submission vs consent
Amnesty International recently set up an information stand on campus, putting forward some answers to the question: what is rape?
Dorothy Masaza, a Masters student in human rights law, says people need to know the following information. Masaza says ignorance is a great cause for rape going unreported.
Submission vs consent
Consenting means to agree to something. Submission means to give in to something. You cannot agree to something when you are not in a position of power.
If someone submits to having sex, rather than consents, then this is also considered as rape. Examples of submission are: saying no to sex and being ignored, giving in to sex because you feel it is being expected or giving in to sex because you are powerless.Submission and consent are not the same thing.
No pressure
None of the following entitles anyone to have sex with you: They buy you a drink, You flirt with them, You kiss them, They walk you home, You go home with them or You intend to have sex with them but change your mind.
Alcohol and rape
A drunken person by law has no capacity to consent. If you have sex while drunk when you did not intend to, then the sex was not consensual.
If you think a person is drunk and cannot consent, you should not have sex with them. Nobody wants to be a rapist.
What is rape?
Rape is any forced or coerced genital contact or penetration. Sexual assault is defined as any other form of undesired sexual contact and is often just as traumatic.
Rape does not only occur between strangers. Being raped by an acquaintance or friend, known as date rape, is the most common kind of rape.
Rape is sex without consent. It does not matter if the man or woman knows the perpetrator, if they have gone on a date, or if she/he has had sex with him/her before.
What to do if you have been raped
You can report the rape at any time, but it is best to report the rape within 72 hours so that evidence such as blood and semen can still be collected.
Try not to wash or change your clothes before reporting the rape because it will destroy important evidence.
Take a fresh set of clothes to the police station if possible in case the clothes you are wearing are needed for evidence.
It is better to not take any tranquillisers or drink any alcohol before going to the police. You need to be clear-headed when you give your statement. Go to a police station and make a statement.
You have the right to make your statement in a private room and/or to a female police officer if one is available.
You also have the legal right to have someone with you to support you. Your statement must be as detailed and accurate as you can make it.
If you are too upset when you first report, you can ask to make the statement the next day. Read your statement over and make any corrections before you sign it.
You will need a medico-legal examination to collect evidence. The police will take you to the district surgeon (DS) for this exam.
You may see a private doctor instead, but this doctor must be willing to testify in court. The DS exam is free, however the DS cannot treat you for injuries or illnesses.
You will need to see your own doctor later for a check-up and treatment. Before you leave the station make sure you know the following: the name of the investigating officer, your case number, the number of the police station, and a phone number you can call to check on how the investigation is going.
Information compiled by Rhodes University Amnesty International society
