We discussed the epidemic of gender based violence in South Africa in an interview with Mr. Kamal P. Temmal, the chairman of Sizanani Charity and founder of their Men Against Rape campaign.
Men Against Rape was founded as a lobbying group aimed at addressing the rape crisis in South Africa, which is considered to be the rape capital of the world. There were 10,818 rape cases reported to the police in 2022, the highest nationally reported number on the globe.
Although Siznani Charity gained official registration in
2007, they have a rich history of supporting their communities in South Africa
from all the way back to the 1880’s in Kwa Zulu Natal.
Men Against Rape is a lobbying group founded by Mr. Temmal,
within Sizanani Charity. They focus on the epidemic of gender based violence in
South Africa, and in particular, the fact that over 40% of South African women
have experienced rape at some time in their life. This statistic is staggering
and horrifying, especially considering the fact that many rapes go unreported. Men
Against Rape aims to create a better future where women can live in safety and
rapists can face justice.
When asked why it was important to create a men's group to "we are the perpetrators, and we need to speak up. We need to support the change of sexual violence not just against women, but also minors and the elderly". By pointing out that rape victims are a diverse group of people of all ages and genders, Mr. Temmal emphasized how rape impacts everyone in a community.
We spoke with Mr. Temmal about what kinds of laws Men Against Rape are lobbying for, and his first answer was a controversial one. "We have tried to get petitions and take it to government for them to introduce actual laws [...] we've even asked for chemical castration for second time convicted rape offenders". This group takes a firm stance in support of chemical castration for second time rapists, a position that argues that because rapists remove the dignity of their victims, their punishment ought to be similar in nature. According to this group, "globally, rape will continue to [rise] unless the punishment meets the crime".
"they will cite that it's a human violation and I understand that, but obviously the person that raped has removed the dignity of the person they have perpetrated the offense against"
Many might wonder why a person would hurt others in this way. Some argue that rape is rooted in misogynistic culture that views women as inferior sexual objects. When men express their power over women in this type of culture, they feel secure in their superiority. Mr. Temmal said "a lot of youngsters are goaded on … if they can do this particular act then they are recognized as men", but continued "a large amount of rape is rooted in a misogynistic culture, but not all ... in some cases it is power over someone, but not the act itself". In combating the kind of misogyny that creates the attitudes, Men Against Rape wants to address this by teaching young men about consent, and how to behave respectfully towards women.
Mr. Temmal said that "there is documentation about it [rape] being just about power, but I don't think its just about that. A lot of people who are not getting their needs met elsewhere, and they look at someone vulnerable that that they can take it out on". He spoke about how when people within a community feel powerless, they take out that feeling on those with even less power than themselves: like women, children, and the elderly. In order to fix this cyclical problem, we need to empower all individuals in a community by correcting the systems that oppress them.
He also spoke about how many rapists "were actually rape victims themselves. You know, the old saying of hurt people hurt people, which is wrong but is the truth".
Men Against Rape want to develop an app that allows someone in distress to shake their phone and the phone will send a predetermined message to three people along with the distressed persons location.
"we need to start with the young men ... I do believe that we need to start supporting the younger men and teaching them how to be gentlemen"
its a systemic problem
"the government needs to take a stance and be a little more stronger in the punishment of people"
root cause: Men Against Rape has started a campaign in Kew Zulu Natal that focuses on young men, teaching them how to treat others with respect and the basics of consent.
prevention
support "whatever they talk about has to be a safe zone ... do not treat them in public there has to be a private space"
Police stations need to have more training in helping victims of rape. This includes specifically trained individuals with expertise in rape, as well as rape kits that allow the crime to be fully documented and investigated.
"to men, men, we are protectors, we are not predators" "counsel you young men, teach them to be gentlemen. and it is not right, if you ared doing anything wrong. stop, it is never too late, you can just stop."
If you have experienced rape, you must understand that it is never your
fault. Speaking out about your experiences is not shameful, but incredibly
brave. Men against Rape aims to uplift victims of gender based violence through
care and justice.
Men Against Rape contact information:
Website: https://www.sizananicharity.org.za/mar/
Email: chairman@sizananicharity.org.za
Gauteng: 267 Market Street, Johannesburg- North, South Africa
KZN: 1 Mitchell Road, Tongaat, South Africa
If you have been raped, please use
of one these three hotlines to ask for help. https://rapecrisis.org.za/ has numbers in
English, isiXhosa, and Afrikaans.
English 021 447 9762
isiXhosa: 021 361 9085
Afrikaans: 021 633 9229
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