Marie Claire raises awareness of rape crisis

Press Release MCPR044 – 11 January 2010

Marie Claire magazine’s annual Naked issue is out now and features some of South Africa’s most prominent celebrities in support of the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust. The Naked campaign ties in with Rape Crisis’s 1,000 Hearts campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the high level of rape in South Africa, while raising funds to help rape survivors.

One of South Africa’s favourite TV presenters and Good Hope FM DJ, Jeannie D, is featured on the cover of this month’s issue. She is joined in the campaign by:

• Local music group Zebra & Giraffe
• Idols winner and musician, Jason Hartman
• YFM DJs and twins, Hlelo and Ntando Masina
• Cape Town blogger, Seth Rotherham
• TV personality and acclaimed stage actress, Fiona Coyne
• Comedians, John Vlismas and Kagiso Lediga
• 94.7 Highveld Stereo DJ and All Access presenter, Pabi Moloi
• Bafana Bafana’s Matthew Booth and his wife, Sonia

“According to research, one in four South African men admit to coercing a woman into having sex,” says Aspasia Karras, editor of Marie Claire magazine. “This is an alarming figure and it’s our duty to raise awareness of this crisis.”

The act of rape is only the beginning – after the assault, the struggle to comprehend and process what has happened begins. On top of this, rape survivors must face another horrific physical reality: 40 per cent of women who are raped in South Africa will become HIV positive if they don’t receive treatment in the form of post-exposure prophylaxis (a 28-day course of antiretrovirals that reduces the risk of HIV infection). Rape Crisis is a lifeline for these women, providing support to survivors accessing medical care, expert counselling, legal assistance and ongoing support.

“Rape Crisis is proud to be part of Marie Claire’s Naked campaign,” says director of Rape Crisis Kathleen Dey. “We honour the celebrities who have been brave enough to expose the harsh reality of rape in South Africa by standing naked for what they believe.”

Rape Crisis aims to reduce incidents and increase the reporting of rape. The organization also wants to see a decrease in secondary trauma for survivors seeking access to justice and improved services both within the criminal justice system and in communities. Rape Crisis provides free face-to-face counselling to survivors, family and friends, and a comprehensive referral service as well as 24-hour telephone counselling, support groups for survivors and assistance to survivors preparing to take a case to trial.

To make a donation to the campaign visit rapecrisis.org.za and purchase a virtual heart for R100 a month. In return, your name will appear on Rape Crisis’s digital heart wall. To find out more and for the number of local branches, call 021 447 1467.

Media contact details:

Elsa Uys

HWB Communications

Tel: 021 462 0416 

Cell:  084 0809652

E-Mail: elsa@hwb.co.za

or
Jaco-Louis Groenewald
PR Manager - Associated Magazines
Cosmopolitan, House and Leisure, Marie Claire
O, The Oprah Magazine
Tel: 021 464 6250
Fax: 021 461 4290
Cell: 083 234 0760
E-mail: jacolouis@assocmags.co.za