KZN rape centre says sexual offences drop due to unreported cases

The Jes Foord Foundation's been commenting on the latest crime statistics.

According to the police, over ten thousand rape cases were reported in South Africa between July and September.

KZN registered a fifth of the cases, the highest of all provinces.

The foundation's founder, Jes Foord, believes many cases go unreported due to various factors.

“Currently, it’s a situation where people can’t afford to get to Thuthuzela centre or are too afraid or are being threatened so as far as we are concerned as an organisation with all the people that we council those stats are to increase rapidly."

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Over 4 700 of the reported rapes are said to have taken place either at the home of the victim or the perpetrator, with the attacker often being someone known to them.

"It’s really scary, growing up we were being taught that 'stranger danger', you know don't go out with people you don't know and all those sorts of things but unfortunately the reality is that these things are happening in the home, they are happening in our neighbours, they are happening by family members, they are happening by brothers or sisters.

"It’s a very sad reality."    

Foord adds that with the 16 Days of Activism campaign coming up, the country needs to band together to give more support to women and children.