Female ‘Rapists’ Prey on Drunken Males
By Anna Shilongo
AROAB
Women are often the victims of rape at the hands of men but at Aroab Village in the Karas Region, the situation strangely seems the other way round, with men being on the receiving end.
The norm to this barbaric form of sex abuse often involves men who forcefully have sex with women against their will but at Aroab five men were allegedly “raped” by women last month alone.
In four of the cases, “sex-starved” women were caught red-handed while they were in the act of sexually abusing men, police reported.
One of the cases is already under police investigation, a parliamentary delegation that recently visited the village was told.
The shocking revelation, involving the sexual abuse of men by women, came to light during a community meeting held by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social and Community Development on a fact-finding mission in the Karas Region.
The parliamentary delegation, led by Swapo Party’s Christina Hanse as the chairperson of the committee, was briefed on the rape cases in which men were victims at the hands of the opposite sex, by the Aroab Police Station Commander, Warrant Officer Godfried Kauhanda.
According to the police, most of these cases occurred while both parties were under the influence of alcohol, seemingly the sole source of entertainment in the absence of any recreational facilities.
Although rape has reached alarming proportions at the village, the police feel not many cases were being brought to their attention so that the perpetrators could be punished.
The issue of rape, for many, is also complicated by the mere fact that male victims prefer to solve their problems the “traditional way”, whereby the suspects pay livestock as compensation for the offence.
In some cases, the male victims are given monetary compensation.
“We hear of people getting raped but we have no right to arrest the offenders if the victim never laid a charge with our office, we can also never force them to open a case, it’s up to the victim to decide,” explained the police officer.
He said wives also abuse men, but they don’t report to the relevant authorities because of fear and shame, while others feels the Gender Equality Ministry only helps women.
According to the officer, women at Aroab also seem to be a cut above their men folk in as far as alcohol consumption is concerned and this in turn results in many men being battered by women.
“Men are beaten up and stabbed by women in this village, especially at clubs and shebeens,” he said.
He maintained that the consumption of alcohol and drug abuse has increased and as a result, it has contributed to the high rate of HIV/AIDS and domestic violence.
Prostitution and drug abuse was another concern highlighted during the meeting.
Young under aged girls sell their bodies to truck drivers in exchange for alcohol.
Against this background, concerned members of the community appealed to the Government to enforce a law that would limit the number of bars and clubs at the village.
“People spend more time at the bars, than engage in projects that can boost the development of our town,” said village councilor, Magrida Bushpy.
“People spend more money on alcohol than food in this village, people are sick, and their moralities are broken down, people don’t even go to church, they rather sunrise drinking at bars,” said Bushpy.
Despite the cold weather, mothers with babies spend the whole night out drinking, while others leave their children alone and without any food at home.
Some workers have even lost their jobs due to alcohol abuse.
“You will find children crying of hunger, no food to eat, bars are open till morning, and their parents are nowhere to be found, kids are dirty they are not taken care of,” said another community member.
Sixty-nine-year-old, Rafael Rooi, once an alcoholic is seeking redemption. He has quit the bottle and is under rehabilitation.
He encourages others to use alcohol sparingly before they lose their dignity.
“I know it is not easy to quit alcohol once you become addicted, I am a victim and I am trying to stop. I have learnt from my mistakes that alcohol will only make you hate your family, it will urge you to commit crime and violence, it will prevent you from being productive,” he said.