About rape

What is rape?

On the 16th of December 2007 the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act came into effect. Due to the redefinition of rape, (The act specifies that Rape occurs when one individual intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration into the vagina, anus or mouth of another individual without their consent) both woman and men can use the law with regards rape.

When we refer to rape we mean any act of a sexual nature which has been forced onto another person. Rape is a violent, traumatic and life changing experience that can happen to anyone. It can happen in many situations.

Rape is an act of power and control: sex is the medium to achieve it. Rape only begins with the physical act, during which every part of the individual is concentrated on surviving. After the assault, the struggle to comprehend and understand what has happened begins. Its meaning floods over the survivor who has to find a way to return to their bodies, their lives and regain a sense of self.

Anybody can be raped, by their boyfriend, husband, a family member, a friend, someone they know, a stranger, or by a gang of men.

There are many myths about rape, and many of us have some false beliefs about it. Click here to educate yourself about some of these myths and false beliefs.

Some of the effects of rape include:

PHYSICAL: Shock, physical injury, nausea, tension headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns and disturbed eating patterns.
BEHAVIOUR: Crying more than usual, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, listlessness, withdrawing from people and relationships, not wanting to be alone, being easily frightened and jumpy, being easily upset, irritability, fear of sex, loss of sexual pleasure, changes in lifestyle, increased substance abuse and behaving as if the rape did not occur.
PSYCHOLOGICAL: Anxiety and fear, guilt, helplessness, humiliation and embarrassment, shame, lower self esteem, anger, feeling alone and that no one understands, losing hope in the future, numbness, confusion, loss of memory, having flashbacks to the rape, nightmares, depression and becoming suicidal.

All these reactions are normal responses to the experience of rape. When someone who has been raped displays these reactions it does not mean that they are going “crazy”. Not all people who have been raped will respond in the same ways. If someone who has been raped does not show any of these reactions it does not mean that they have not been raped. There is no right or wrong reaction to rape.

What to do

If you have been raped
If a friend has been raped
Getting medical attention