Commission for Gender Equality says it's difficult to convince families to report cases of statutory rape

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) said that it finds it difficult to convince families to report cases of statutory rape, because their silence is often bought by the perpetrator.

Presenting its research to Parliament’s Statutory Rape inquiry on Monday, the commission said families often receive financial incentives not to lay a criminal complaint, especially in cases of teen pregnancies.

It added that educators also fail in their obligations to report cases because they often find it difficult to pierce the veil of family secrecy and also fear reprisal.

Following last week’s visits to Gauteng and the Eastern Cape to understand the factors that influence statutory rape, parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is now considering the legislative options to improve mandatory reporting.

On Monday the CGE's CEO Dennis Matotoka reported back on research on the rape of school girls in Mpumalanga. 

"There were learners who alleged there’s collusion taking place between the parents and truck drivers. But they were afraid to report such matters because the parents were allegedly involved in such offences."

 Matotoka said that post trial procedures need to be tightened up to ensure offenders are properly rehabilitated.

"We’ve observed that the same perpetrators that are now on parole, they recommit these offences. Obviously, it makes society not have faith in the system."

Matotoka said that it had to intervene in cases that were withdrawn without just cause.