All human beings are equally entitled to human rights without discrimination, regardless of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, social status. They are essential to human dignity, survival and development and should be protected by law. Stated in a Bill of rights -Constitution of South Africa.
Rape is an act of violence. Rape is used as a way of dominating, humiliating, and terrifying another person. Rape is a form of sexual aggression that refers to sexual activity, performed against a person will through the use of force, argument, pressure. Reference to UNDERSTANDING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR, the Study Guide for Sue/Sue/Sue’s Understanding Abnormal Behavior, 9th edition

Image Caption: UNDERSTANDING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOR, the Study Guide for Sue/Sue/Sue’s Understanding Abnormal Behavior, 9th edition
In spite of the many cases reported of this nature of the incident, teenagers refused to document these violations. One such case was a 21-year-old, raped at the age of 13 years old by a family member and her parent did not believe her. 8 years later, she wanted to document this as a Human Rights violation, again her mother threatened to commit suicide should she go through with the plan. Sue (Sue at al UNDERSTANDING ABNORMAL BEHAVIOUR 2010) mentioned that most rape incidents happen between people of the same race or ethnicity. You are also more likely to be raped by someone you know than a stranger. Approximately 75% of rapes are committed by someone the survivor knows.
Identity vs. Role confusion

Image Caption: Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development stages
Based on the fifth stage of Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, adolescence ages 12-18 children face the task of Identity vs role. Adolescents frequently ask themselves questions such as ‘Who am I’? From the time the client had the rape incident to the present time when she wants to document the Human Rights Violation, we can conclude that she is in the second phase of the three phases to Rape Trauma Syndrome. The trauma will leave her grappling with the development found easy by her peers such as acceptance of appearance, vocational choices career aspirations, education, relationships, sexuality, political and social views, personality, and interests. During this emotional confusion, the client may experience phobic reactions and sexual dysfunction and came to a decision where she asked for counselling. Should psychological support be lacking at this stage of development this may either withdraw further into social isolation or become lost.
It is reported that in South Africa half a million women are survivors of sexual violence, but only one in nine who are raped will report it. It is never too late to have your case reviewed. Show Me Your Number is documenting Human Rights Violations. Should you need more information about Human Rights; kindly follow our social media page. Don’t let stigma win.
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Blog by Khanyisile Ngema
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For more information and interviews, contact:
Refiloe Menoe – Media & Communications Coordinator – CCF
refiloe@showmeyournumber.org.za
078 400 3182
ABOUT COMMUNITY CONSTITUENCY FRONT (CCF)
The Community Constituency Covid-19 Front was established in March 2020 as a formal advisory body to facilitate the participation of civil society sectors and networks, including those represented in the national response and implementations of Community-Based Measures in response to the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). The Community Constituency Covid-19 Front promotes an inclusive, competent and responsive civil society that effectively serves the needs of communities by linking and diversifying civil society actors, expanding the sector’s response and ensuring better coordination, thus improving operations, and enhancing connections between civil society organisations with government, business labour, their stakeholders and beneficiaries. The Covid-19 Front aims to provide a hub of information and contacts for distribution and engagement through our members across the country.