Issued by: Ministry for Welfare and Population Development
In a show of moral support to victims of rape, Welfare and Population Development Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi today paid a visit to three victims in Gauteng - the youngest being a three-year-old Soweto toddler abused allegedly by his father over the festive season.
Accompanied by her staff and members of the Child Protection Unit, Minister Fraser-Moleketi spent most of the day speaking to victims and their families in Eesterust township in Pretoria, Orlando in Soweto and Malvern in Johannesburg.
She comforted a sobbing teenage rape victim who was today reported to be contemplating committing suicide following an incident in Pretoria's Botanical Gardens on Tuesday when she and a friend were raped by a man who allegedly offered them a lift. In comforting the girl, the minister stressed that the teenagers should not blame themselves for the incident.
Shortly before speaking to the Malvern home in Johannesburg, where two other teenage girls were raped, Minister Fraser-Moleketi was outraged by an incident in a Soweto home where a three-year-old toddler was allegedly abused by his father. The man has been arrested.
The Minister who, together with other Government ministries, launched the Victim Empowerment Campaign against the abuse of women and children during the Christmas period, assured the victims of her support, saying rape was an evil that had to be uprooted in communities.
She called on communities to work with police, emergency agencies, and social workers in the fight against rape. Support systems like counselling of the victims, had to be strengthened, she said.
Minister Fraser-Moleketi: "Let us reclaim our streets in our neighbourhoods. "In is our responsibility to expose rape and all other forms of violence, and assist the victims who have gone through the trauma."
The Minister will tonight participate in the Talk at Nine show hosted by Jon Qwelane on Radio 702 at 9pm.
Issued: Brian Sokutu, Press Secretary Office of the Minister for Welfare and Population Development Cell: 082-807-5397
16 January 1997