EDITORIAL: Taking collective responsibility
It is indeed encouraging to see Namibians expressing their support and speaking out in defence of sexual assault survivors. Stigma can compound the pain of sexual assault and it is extremely difficult for many victims to come forward and share their ordeals.
In most cases, victims are shamed and are, to some extent, blamed by society.
However, this is fast becoming a thing of the past, thanks to initiatives such as the #MeToo movement, which spawned the offering of a host of specialist services to survivors, including legal and psychological support. This is a positive step in the right direction. As a result of the movement, several rape cases are being investigated by the police.
It must be said that a day hardly goes by without a woman or child becoming a victim of rape in Namibia.
Sexual assaults on our women and children are real and pervasive in our society. It is sad that victims are often rendered voiceless when it comes to their experiences of sexual violence, given the horrifying culture of fear and intimidation still prevailing in our communities.
Violence against women and children is a dark stain on our reputation as a nation. We need to agree that the fight against abuse cannot be left to law-enforcement officials only.
Men in particular must be the solution and be actively involved in helping the country’s crime-fighters tackle sexual offences against women, and against children specifically.
In most cases, victims are shamed and are, to some extent, blamed by society.
However, this is fast becoming a thing of the past, thanks to initiatives such as the #MeToo movement, which spawned the offering of a host of specialist services to survivors, including legal and psychological support. This is a positive step in the right direction. As a result of the movement, several rape cases are being investigated by the police.
It must be said that a day hardly goes by without a woman or child becoming a victim of rape in Namibia.
Sexual assaults on our women and children are real and pervasive in our society. It is sad that victims are often rendered voiceless when it comes to their experiences of sexual violence, given the horrifying culture of fear and intimidation still prevailing in our communities.
Violence against women and children is a dark stain on our reputation as a nation. We need to agree that the fight against abuse cannot be left to law-enforcement officials only.
Men in particular must be the solution and be actively involved in helping the country’s crime-fighters tackle sexual offences against women, and against children specifically.
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Namibian Sun
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