In the week of November 24 our MKI health Information Centers’ in Khayelitsha and Kayamandi have been the setting for the powerful workshop on sexual offenses.
Many local woman and man from several townships participated in this very interactive workshop under the dynamic leadership of MKI facilitator Naomi Holdt, a psychologist from Kwa-Zula Natal.
Approximately every 60 seconds in South Africa, an incidence of sexual assault is occurring. Only 1 in every 9 of these sexual offenses is reported, and of these there is only a 4-6% conviction rate. The government has stated that these shocking statistics are clearly a sign of a ‘dysfunctional society’, and in response to this, in November 2007; a new Sexual Offenses Act was released.
This workshop has been designed to bring knowledge of this act, and of people’s rights regarding this act, to grass root levels. The aim of this workshop is to empower the South African population with knowledge regarding their rights in terms of sexual offenses, and the process of reporting these offenses and receiving medical care. It highlights critical issues surrounding the entitlement of victims to knowledge of the perpetrators HIV status, and the victims rights in terms of receiving medication and information on HIV, STD’s, pregnancy etc. The hope is that with a heightened awareness of rights, more sexual offenses will be prevented and reported, and that a greater awareness of the criminal procedure may lead to a heightened sense of empowerment. It is also hoped that knowledge of basic considerations and steps to follow after an offense has been committed may lead to more evidence being able to be collected, and thus a greater conviction rate.
During this sometimes very emotional first day in Khayelitsha three women, empowered by their facilitator took the stand by creating on the stop the SOS Group (Sexual Offenses Support Group). They felt that it was about time that something being done to stop the increasing problems relating to this issue.
Kirsty Stiff, MKI’s South African representative offered the ladies space at the center for their meetings. The first meeting has been planned for December 3rd.
Bas van Wersch, member of MKI’s Board of Directors and his partner Barbra will be attending today’s meeting in Khayelitsha.
Participants have been provided with a booklet regarding Sexual offenses and a hard copy list of places to seek assistance.
Many local woman and man from several townships participated in this very interactive workshop under the dynamic leadership of MKI facilitator Naomi Holdt, a psychologist from Kwa-Zula Natal.
Approximately every 60 seconds in South Africa, an incidence of sexual assault is occurring. Only 1 in every 9 of these sexual offenses is reported, and of these there is only a 4-6% conviction rate. The government has stated that these shocking statistics are clearly a sign of a ‘dysfunctional society’, and in response to this, in November 2007; a new Sexual Offenses Act was released.
This workshop has been designed to bring knowledge of this act, and of people’s rights regarding this act, to grass root levels. The aim of this workshop is to empower the South African population with knowledge regarding their rights in terms of sexual offenses, and the process of reporting these offenses and receiving medical care. It highlights critical issues surrounding the entitlement of victims to knowledge of the perpetrators HIV status, and the victims rights in terms of receiving medication and information on HIV, STD’s, pregnancy etc. The hope is that with a heightened awareness of rights, more sexual offenses will be prevented and reported, and that a greater awareness of the criminal procedure may lead to a heightened sense of empowerment. It is also hoped that knowledge of basic considerations and steps to follow after an offense has been committed may lead to more evidence being able to be collected, and thus a greater conviction rate.
During this sometimes very emotional first day in Khayelitsha three women, empowered by their facilitator took the stand by creating on the stop the SOS Group (Sexual Offenses Support Group). They felt that it was about time that something being done to stop the increasing problems relating to this issue.
Kirsty Stiff, MKI’s South African representative offered the ladies space at the center for their meetings. The first meeting has been planned for December 3rd.
Bas van Wersch, member of MKI’s Board of Directors and his partner Barbra will be attending today’s meeting in Khayelitsha.
Participants have been provided with a booklet regarding Sexual offenses and a hard copy list of places to seek assistance.
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