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NGOs Call for a Boycott of Top TV
Two anti-pornography organisations; Women And Men Against Child Abuse and the Family Policy Institute, have called for a boycott of Top TV, which has been granted licences by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, to broadcast pornography.
The organisations argue that pornography leads to the abuse of women and damages children.
Women And Men Against Child Abuse spokesperson, Luke Lamprecht, believes that pornography could be an important factor in shaping a male-dominant view of sexuality, to initiate victims and break down their resistance to unwanted sexual activity, contribute to a user’s difficulty in separating sexual fantasy and reality, and provide a training manual for abusers.
To read the article titled, “Calls for TopTV boycott continue,” click here.Source:Cape ArgusRaping Children Not Cure for HIV - NGOs
The Teddy Bear Clinic says that more education is needed to dispel the myth that raping children or having sex with a virgin is a cure for HIV.
Teddy Bear Clinic clinical director, Dr Shaheda Omar, argues that, “It’s ridiculous to think that when you are infected, violating a virgin or a victim is going to take away the infection.”
In the same vein, Childline’s director in Gauteng, Lynne Cawood, agrees. Cawood explains: “It’s ludicrous to think that raping a child or a virgin could cure HIV.”
Their comments follow an incident in which a Soweto father allegedly raped his two-year-old daughter, believing it will cure him of HIV.
To read the article titled, “He said sex with a virgin could cure HIV,” click here.Source:IOL NewsNGO Slams Top TV’s Porn Channels
The Family Policy Institute says that Top TV’s airing of pornography channels will only heighten sexual abuse against women and children and further degrade society.
The Family Policy Institute director, Errol Naidoo, points out that, “To launch this in a nation already reeling under the weight of sexual abuse against women and children is nothing short of criminal.”
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) granted TopTV the right to air three porn channels, adding that Playboy TV, Desire TV and Private Spice will air within a watershed period from 20h00 to 5h00.
To read the article titled, “Channels for TV porn ‘degrading’,” click here.Source:The CitizenUN, DRC Sign Accord to Stop Rape
The United Nations (UN) has signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo aimed at fighting against rape and sexual violence by armed groups in the strife-torn eastern part of the country.
The accord was signed by DR Congo's Prime Minister, Augustin Matata Ponyo, and the UN's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, Zainab Hawa Bangura, during a visit by Bangura to the country.
In the accord, Bangura and Ponyo "expressed their concern at the persistence of sexual violence committed by armed men mostly in the east of the country".
To read the article titled, “UN, DRC agree to stop rape,” click here.Source:News 24Govt to Train Magistrates on Sexual Crimes
Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, has announced that at least 200 magistrates will undergo a two-day training workshop on the Sexual Offences Act and the Child Justice Act.
Mogoeng points out that, "The aim of the workshop is to further enhance the skills of regional court magistrates who, in their daily work as judicial officers, preside over sexual offences matters that come before their courts."
He says the workshop, which will be conducted by the South African Judicial Education Training Institute, will feature judges, academics, constitutional, and child justice experts.
To read the article titled, “Sex crimes: magistrates to be trained,” click here.Source:The CitizenSexual Offences Courts for SA
The Department of Justice & Constitutional Development has announced that 58 dedicated sexual offences courts will be opened to address a rape crisis of nearly 65 000 attacks a year.
Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe, points out that the courts are set to be ‘fully functional’ by September 2013.
The new courts will sit within existing courts and will hear all cases of sexual assault, including attacks on lesbians and gays.
To read the article titled, “Sex crimes court necessary - Radebe,” click here.Source:News24Call to Dismantle Patriarchy to End Violence
The Minister for Women, Children and People living with Disabilities, Lulu Xingwana, says dismantling patriarchy is key to bringing down the high levels of violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York, which is grappling specifically with the issue of violence against women, Xingwana said South Africa is lobbying within the Africa group over issues that are threatening consensus on the outcome document.
She also told those present that the South African Constitution allows women the right to choose and therefore, adding that there is no way that government can support restrictions to women's freedoms.
To read the article titled, “Dismantling patriarchy key to end violence against women: Xingwana,” click here.Source:SABC NewsGBV a Global Phenomenon – UN Women
The head of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, says despite the shock value of recent rape incidents in countries like India and South Africa, brutality against women is not a new phenomenon.
She was addressing the media at the opening of the 57th Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
The two week long forum sees governments and civil society examine progress in women's equality and empowerment that informs programmes and legislation at a national level.
To read the article titled, “Brutality against women is a global phenomenon: UN,” click here.Source:SABC NewsSex Workers March Against Police Abuse
In commemoration of International Sex Worker Rights Day, sex workers and human rights activists have taken to the streets to protest the continued abuse sex workers experience at the hands of the police.
They will be also protesting against the criminal justice system's failure to prosecute the perpetrators.
Approximately 70 percent of sex workers experienced abuse at the hands of police according to a study by the Women's Legal Centre (WLC).
To read the article titled, “Sex workers march to call an end to police abuse,” click here.Source:SowetaniSchoolAfrica Takes the StopRape Campaign to Schools
The Department of Basic Education and LEAD SA have announced a major initiative to raise rape awareness and educate the 10.2 million learners in South African schools.
Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, points out that, “The collective rage in the country had to be turned into tangible action.”
Minister Motshekga appeals to learners to report any form of abuse from anyone to the authorities.
To read the article titled, “iSchoolAfrica takes the StopRape campaign to school,” click here.Source:Times Live
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