SPEAK UP, RAPE VICTIMS URGED

On Friday last week (21 August 2015), the Aids Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with DUT HIV/AIDS Centre, encouraged rape victims to report these crimes to law enforcement and not feel threatened by the perpetrators.

The call was made at the Silent Protest which started from DUT’s Ritson Campus to the Durban City Hall and ending at the Ritson Campus.

“The main aim of the protest is to raise awareness around the epidemic of rape in the country and about standing together in support of survivors. The reason we are partnering with DUT is that we wanted to mobilise students, and it went well. It’s important to engage students in such initiatives because some of them (students) have gone through many difficulties in life,” said Larisa Klazinga, Policy and Advocacy Manager at Aids Healthcare Foundation.

Klazinga said people must know that they have a right to demand access to post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). PEP is a short course of antiretroviral medication which if taken shortly after rape, will help one’s body to fight all HIV infections.

The Protest was also supported by DUT Registrar, Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, who said it would help students who have been rape victims to come forward.

Nokwazi Mkhonza, DUT Food and Nutrition third year student said she participated in the march because she is a rape survivor. “I believe everyone who goes though the same situation can survive too. It is important to speak because you get help,” she said.

Siboniso Dumakude, second year Taxation student at DUT, urged men to unite against women abuse, saying he attended the march to send this very message to fellow men. “As a man, I am against the abuse and rape of women and I encourage other men to be like me,” he said.

– Sihle Ndebele

Pictured: The marchers at the Silent Protest march recently held by DUT’S HIV/AIDS Centre and the Aids Healthcare Foundation.