By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
Disturbing savage acts of raping and killing of women and girls in Namibia are a result of boys’ exposure to such atrocities and anti-social behaviour in their parental homes, research has found.
A report titled “Understanding Violent Crimes Against Women and Girls among Convicted Prisoners in Namibia: Implications for Prevention and Treatment” reveals that the majority of the interviewed convicted prisoners were once witnesses to excessive drinking, drug abuse and wife battering.
“The majority of the inmates did not enjoy the benefit of growing up with the love and care of both parents … where there is no love and unconditional acceptance, a growing child will try to find affirmation elsewhere,” the report says.
It further reveals that such children seek for love and acceptance from elsewhere in society and usually they join gangs on the street where they commit crime. The higher the degree of brutality one demonstrates on his victim, the more praises the perpetrator receives from the gang members.
“I raped to get a pat on my back. I was part of the ‘mafia’ gangster. I saw rape, robbery, murder … and that is the kind of love I knew. I received the first hug from my father only when I came out of prison,” confesses Engelhardt Ngatjikare, a rehabilitated convicted perpetrator.
The report explains that unconditional acceptance by and similarity to the perceived “hero” satisfies the psychological needs of the individual, therefore, it will not be unrealistic to state that perpetrators of violence against women and girls committed their crimes to fulfil their own psychological needs.
Nampol Crime Prevention Unit shows about 1?