Swaziland
police
reported there were nearly 1,000 cases of child sex abuse reported between
January 2014 and May 2015.
But this
nothing new. Swazi culture condones sex abuse of children, especially young
girls, and there is little evidence that this is going to change.
In the
twisted culture that is Swaziland, child rapists often blame women for their
action.
The State
of the Swaziland Population report revealed that women who ‘sexually starve’
their husbands are responsible for the growing sexual abuse of children.
Men who
were interviewed during the making of the report said they ‘salivate’ over
children wearing skimpy dress codes because their wives refused them sexual
intercourse.
In
Swaziland it is estimated that one
in three girls suffer sexual abuse, but it is thought that fewer than half
of sexual assaults and other abusive crimes are reported to the
authorities.
The
State of the Swaziland Population report went on to say that Swazi men also
blame ‘modernisation’ for giving women and girls the idea that they do not need
to obey their menfolk.
The
report stated, ‘They blamed the current generation of children for their
inquisitorial minds, saying they always ask why? and why not? They were not
content with counselling words from adults. They concluded that these were the
negative impacts of education on behaviour.’
In
Swaziland rape is against the law but there is no specific law about rape
within marriage.
The
United States Department of State report on human rights in Swaziland looking
at 2014 stated, ‘Rape was common, and the government did not always enforce the
law effectively.
‘According
to the Swaziland Action Group against Abuse (SWAGAA), one in three girls and
women between the ages of 13 and 24 had been the victim of sexual violence.
Although legally defined as a crime, many men regarded rape as a minor offense.
According to the 2013 RSPS [Royal Swaziland Police Service] annual report, 495
rape cases were reported that year. There were no data available on the number
of prosecutions, convictions, or punishments.
‘The
number of reported cases was likely far lower than the actual number of cases,
as many cases were dealt with at the family level. A sense of shame and helplessness
often inhibited women from reporting such crimes, particularly when incest was
involved.
‘The
maximum sentence for aggravated rape is 15 years in prison, but the acquittal
rate for rape was high, and sentences were generally lenient.
‘Prosecutors
reported difficulty obtaining the evidence required to bring rape and domestic
violence cases to trial because witnesses feared testifying against accused
rapists. There were few social workers or other intermediaries to work with
victims and witnesses in order to obtain evidence.’
See also
SWAZI
CHILD RAPE IS NOT UNUSUAL
‘INVESTIGATE
PRINCE FOR CHILD SEX’
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