Muhekeni Sadam Likius
Rape is an act of sexual intercourse, perpetrated against a man or woman without their consent.
Even though Dr Joseph Diescho once said rape nowadays has many definitions, in our vernacular, rape was defined as imposing force and power on someone for sexual intercourse without their permission. However, today, even a husband can rape his wife.
Mostly, I heard people saying rapists should be harshly punished so that others can get an example.
Yes, they should be because they commit a serious crime, but is harsh punishment alone a solution to rape crimes. While rapists are given many years behind bars, rape cases are still increasing.
Rape crimes have become abundant nowadays; therefore, elucidation needs to be found to halt this predicament that affects our people physically and emotionally every day.
However, no one knows what drives people into these circumstances.
I think there are no valid reasons on how to prevent or protect someone from being raped or to rape others. Maybe there are just possible prevention and intervention we could do as Namibians to fight rape crimes in our country. Why did I say so?
A three-month-old baby was raped in the Omusati region, another baby was raped by his father while her mother was asleep, people with disabilities are raped, and old-aged people are being raped by young people, who are mostly in their 20s.
What do these rapists want in common? It is so difficult because all these are vulnerable people.
As the saying goes, trying is better than accepting defeat. Raising awareness on safety measures needs to be encouraged either through newspapers, magazines, radio, social media platforms and men’s conferences.
Women also rape, but it is a bit infrequent. However, men who are the culprits must learn to stop their sexual advances if the other person says ‘no’ and encourages others to do the same. Avoid alcohol or drugs to cloud your common sense. Use that force, instead of speaking up, accepting rejection and trying another chance.
Furthermore, it promotes safety measures for most vulnerable people, especially young girls, the elderly and people with disabilities, as most sex offenders are not strangers; 86% are known to the victims.
What is so disheartening is people who are supposed to protect them are busy hurting them and destroying their lives.
In addition, men’s conferences must reach deep down in rural areas: let them speak up and give them strategies on self-control. Men do not allow feelings to control you!
To my fellow men, I know lust is a strong desire, but it is temporary. No matter how thirsty you are, do not let five minutes of pleasure ruin your life by making you live your life behind bars.
Rape is a crime that affects all members of society: victims and those close to them. We need to stand together as parents, the community and the government.
We should make sure more citizens are educated on the consequences of rape, informed and encouraged to report rape crimes. It does not matter who the culprit is – a brother, cousin, uncle or even a father must be reported.
Let us unite on this and work together as Namibians before it is too late.